Pakistan’s government has stated that imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan is in good health following a medical procedure to address an eye ailment. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed on Thursday that Khan was examined by doctors at Adiala prison in Rawalpindi, where he is serving multiple sentences, before being shifted to a government hospital on Saturday. The 20-minute procedure was carried out with Khan’s consent, and he was returned to jail the same night under heavy security.
The announcement came amid growing concerns raised by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. PTI spokesman Zulfiquar Bukhari had earlier warned that Khan was suffering from an eye condition requiring immediate medical attention and urged authorities to allow his personal physician access, cautioning that any delay could cause irreversible harm. Social media speculation had intensified after reports of Khan’s hospital visit over the weekend, his first known medical transfer since his arrest in 2023 on corruption charges.
Bukhari described the government’s handling of the situation as “opaque and alarming,” noting that neither Khan’s family nor his legal team was informed before or after the procedure. Authorities have not shared verifiable details about the doctors involved, the exact nature of the treatment, or Khan’s post-procedure condition. He criticized the portrayal of the issue as routine, saying it raises more questions than answers, and demanded immediate access for family members and personal physicians along with full medical disclosure.
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The PTI leader called on human rights organizations to monitor the case, arguing that the treatment of a former elected prime minister raises serious questions about prisoners’ rights, due process, and the rule of law in Pakistan. Khan has not appeared in public since his detention, though he has continued to post criticisms on X, accusing the military and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of orchestrating his 2022 ouster through a US-backed conspiracy—a claim denied by Washington, the military, and his opponents.
Despite restrictions on family meetings after relatives relayed political messages, Khan retains strong popular support nationwide. His PTI remains a key opposition force in parliament, even as campaigns for his release have quieted in recent months. The episode underscores ongoing tensions surrounding Khan’s imprisonment and the broader political climate in Pakistan.
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