Thu, September 17, 2026
Islamabad (Web Desk): The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed the formation of a medical board after hearing a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former premier Imran Khan, who sought to be transferred to Shifa International Hospital for specialized treatment.
The case was heard by Justices Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Khadim Hussain Soomro. Khan was represented by his lawyer, Sardar Latif Khosa, while the government’s side was represented by Islamabad Advocate General Ayaz Shaukat and Additional Attorney General Rashid Hafeez.
During the proceedings, Khosa informed the bench that the PTI founder had been experiencing worsening vision in his right eye since October.
He claimed that prison doctors initially treated the issue as routine and that Khan was only moved to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) after his eyesight had nearly deteriorated completely.
The PTI’s lawyer stated that neither the family nor the legal team had been kept informed during this period.
The court allowed Khosa to continue his arguments and instructed the advocate general to review medical reports and earlier judicial decisions relevant to the matter.
Highlighting jail regulations and past court precedents, Khosa stressed that Khan’s health and life were at serious risk and required immediate, specialized care. The judges directed both sides to continue presenting evidence and arguments.
Justice Tahir asked about the case in which former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had previously obtained medical relief.
Advocate General Shaukat said that relief had been granted through a writ petition.
Justice Tahir noted that the matter would be resolved according to law and asked what would happen if a prisoner was dissatisfied with the medical care.
The advocate general clarified that, under jail rules, it is the medical officer’s approval, not the prisoner’s satisfaction, that governs treatment.
The judge observed that Khan was already receiving treatment and suggested that a medical evaluation could be conducted at Shifa Hospital, with access granted to his personal doctors.
“Treatment is ongoing, and the government acknowledges this. Dr. Nadeem Qureshi is a highly skilled retina specialist,” Justice Tahir remarked.
During the hearing, Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, criticized authorities, saying, “They do not even tell the truth; they keep lying all day.”
The judge responded that Dr. Qureshi could brief Khan’s own doctors regarding his treatment.
A medical report submitted to the Supreme Court on February 15 revealed that Khan’s vision in his right eye had dropped to 15%, prompting renewed demands from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for his release on medical grounds.
The PTI founder's family has requested that he be shifted to Al-Shifa Hospital for treatment under the supervision of his personal physicians.Government officials, however, insist that Khan is receiving appropriate medical care while in custody.
The former premier has been incarcerated since August 2023 at Adiala Jail, serving a sentence in a £190 million corruption case. He also faces ongoing trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to the May 9, 2023, protests.
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