A team of doctors reported on Monday that jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision has improved after examining his eye condition.
Reports say that Khan’s vision in the right eye without glasses is recorded as 6/24 partial, while the left eye measures 6/9. (AP)The 73-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician was examined by two doctors on Sunday after the Supreme Court ordered a detailed medical checkup of his eyes.
The apex court took action after his appointed lawyer Salman Safdar visited the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder on February 12 and subsequently informed the court that he complained of having only 15 percent vision in his right eye.
Khan also alleged that he had perfect vision until October last year, when he developed an illness for which treatment was given.
According to a report shared with the media by the authorities, Khan was examined by Dr Nadeem Qureshi of Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital and Dr Muhammad Arif Khan of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad.
Reports say that Khan’s vision in the right eye without glasses is recorded as 6/24 partial, while the left eye measures 6/9.
However, with corrective glasses, the right eye improved to 6/9 partial and the left eye to 6/6.
The report noted a reduction in swelling in the right eye, its thickness reduced from 550 to 350 microns, and described this as a sign of improvement.
The medical board recommended eye drops for both eyes, while also advising the PTI founder to get both eyes tested.
According to reports, PTI Chairman Gohar Khan and Senate Leader of Opposition Allama Nasir Abbas visited PIMS on the same day, where they were briefed by the medical board treating Khan at Adiala Jail, where the former prime minister is currently lodged.
“During the briefing of experts, Imran Khan’s personal physician Dr. Asim Yousuf and Dr. Khurram Mirza were also briefed to the extent of their satisfaction over phone call (over 25 minutes),” read the report.
Dr Yusuf, chief medical officer of the Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital, which was founded by Khan, however, said the medical board “could neither confirm nor deny the truth” of what they had been told.
In a video posted on the hospital’s official X account, Dr Yusuf said their conversation with the medical board lasted about 40 minutes and the two briefed them on the treatment given to Khan.
“They told us, in their view, Khan has shown significant improvement as a result of the treatment and his vision has also improved significantly,” said Dr Yusuf, adding that he could not independently confirm or refute the information as he had not “seen” Khan himself or participated in his care.
He sought permission to meet doctors nominated by him and Dr Faisal Sultan Ba Khan’s family, urging him to shift the former prime minister to Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital for treatment.
Khan has been in jail since August 5, 2023, when he was arrested at his Lahore residence after being convicted in a corruption case. He is currently lodged in the high security Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
