Imran Khan's Health Status Debated After Prison Hospital Visit
Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has stated that imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan is in good health following a medical procedure for an eye condition. The announcement came on Thursday, attempting to address growing speculation about the political leader's wellbeing while serving multiple prison sentences.
Government Assurance Amid Opposition Concerns
According to Minister Tarar, Khan underwent a twenty-minute medical procedure at a government hospital in the capital last Saturday with his full consent. The former premier had initially been examined by a team of doctors at Rawalpindi's Adiala prison before being transferred for treatment. "He is in good health," Tarar confirmed during an interview with the private Geo News television channel, seeking to reassure the public about Khan's condition.
However, these official statements have been met with skepticism from Khan's political party. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesman Zulfiquar Bukhari described the government's handling of the health issue as "opaque and alarming" in a statement released on Thursday. Bukhari expressed particular concern that neither Khan's family nor his legal team received notification before or after his transfer from prison for medical treatment.
Medical Condition and Access Disputes
The controversy centers on Khan's diagnosis of central retinal vein occlusion, a serious blockage that can lead to permanent vision loss if not properly treated. Khan's son, Kasim, revealed this diagnosis on social media platform X, warning that "authorities continue to block his treatment and deny him access to the doctors he trusts." Kasim added that he himself has been prevented from speaking with his father, raising further questions about communication restrictions.
Bukhari had earlier in the week called for Khan's personal physician to be granted immediate access, cautioning that any delay could result in "irreversible harm" to the former prime minister's vision. The PTI spokesman criticized what he called the government's attempt to portray the eye condition as routine, saying this approach "raised more questions than answers" about the true nature of Khan's health situation.
Broader Political Context
The health concerns emerge against a backdrop of ongoing political tension in Pakistan. Khan has not been seen publicly since his arrest in 2023 on corruption charges, though he continues to command significant popular support across the country. His Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party remains in opposition in parliament, maintaining pressure on the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Authorities recently restricted meetings between Khan and his family after relatives allegedly conveyed political messages urging supporters to stage rallies against the current government. This restriction has added to concerns about transparency regarding Khan's treatment and overall condition while in custody.
Suhail Afridi, a chief minister in northwest Pakistan and prominent PTI member, highlighted these concerns when he said: "The very first question is: how did his health deteriorate to the point that he had to be transferred to the hospital? If it reached this stage, it means he was already unwell — so why was the illness concealed?" Afridi is currently attempting to arrange a meeting with Khan in prison to assess his condition firsthand.
Calls for International Monitoring
Bukhari has urged human rights organizations to monitor Khan's situation closely, arguing that the treatment of a former elected prime minister in custody reflects broader concerns about the rule of law, prisoners' rights, and due process in Pakistan. The PTI spokesman demanded immediate access for Khan's family and personal physicians, along with full disclosure of the medical procedure details and Khan's current health status.
The controversy follows days of speculation on social media about Khan's weekend hospital transfer under heavy security. While the government maintains the former leader received appropriate care and remains in good health, his political allies continue to express serious doubts about the transparency of the process and the adequacy of medical attention being provided to the imprisoned former prime minister.
