ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan was again taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) for tests and follow-up treatment for his eye condition, a hospital official told Dawn.
“Imran Khan was brought from the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi to Pims in Islamabad during the night between Nov 10 and 11 for a medical check-up and follow-up eye treatment on the advice of the ophthalmologist treating him,” the official said.
The hospital official added that, prior to the procedure, the former premier underwent a medical examination, including an ocular assessment.
“His vital parameters were found to be normal. He was clinically stable, and his general physical examination was unremarkable. After obtaining informed consent and following standard monitoring procedures, precautionary measures and clinical protocols, the ophthalmology team administered an intravitreal anti-VEGF injection,” the official said.
He added that Imran remained “clinically stable before, during and after the procedure”. The PTI founder was discharged at around 2:30am with the necessary instructions for further care and follow-up, according to the official.
The former premier’s last reported hospital visit to Pims for his eye ailment was in June.
Imran has been imprisoned since August 2023, and his health has deteriorated over the course of his prison sentence, prompting outcry from members of the party.
His eye ailment — right central retinal vein occlusion — came to light in late January, following which he has been taken to hospital multiple times.
On Aug 18, the Supreme Court directed the government to shift the jailed ex-premier to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, a day after the superintendent of the Adiala jail — where Imran is imprisoned — submitted a report to the SC on the ex-premier’s health condition.
In the report, the jail administration said adequate healthcare facilities were being provided to Imran and his wife, with their health and well-being a priority.
However, an annexure to the report stated that Dr Akhtar Ali Bandeshah of Pims examined him on Aug 1 and noted complaints of uncontrolled and fluctuating blood pressure, palpitations, headache and restlessness. The ex-premier had attributed his symptoms and stress partly to infrequent meetings with his wife, family and social contacts, as well as the absence of newspapers and TV.
On Aug 10, the SC was informed, a medical board comprising Pims specialists also examined Imran after he complained of heaviness in the head and palpitations. It recommended a one-hour daily walk and relaxation in his prison routine, besides access to newspapers, magazines, television and books.
The board also recommended more frequent interaction with immediate family members or his spouse, saying this could help control his anxiety and blood pressure.
Subsequently, the court ordered his transfer to Shifa International Hospital.
However, the government took the PTI founder to Pims and subsequently transported him back to prison.
At the time, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had blamed “the security situation created by PTI workers on the way to and outside” the hospital for the diversion. The PTI has denied the allegations and accused the government of deliberately flouting the court’s orders.
