Pakistan Supreme Court Report: Imran Khan Loses 85% Vision in Right Eye During Detention

A report submitted to Pakistan's Supreme Court indicates that former Prime Minister Imran Khan has lost about 85% of the vision in his right eye while in detention and requires urgent specialist examination.

Salman Safdar, a lawyer appointed by the Supreme Court as amicus curiae, met Khan for two hours on Feb. 10 and inspected his detention facility before submitting a seven-page report on his health and prison conditions. The report details that the 73-year-old Khan experienced rapid vision loss over the past three months, repeatedly complaining of blurring and darkening vision, but prison officials took no action.

A medical report dated Feb. 6 diagnosed Khan with central retinal vein occlusion in his right eye, caused by a blood clot that risks serious retinal damage. The diagnosis was confirmed by an ophthalmologist at a government hospital in Islamabad, Safdar said. During the meeting, Khan appeared "clearly worried and deeply anxious," and Safdar warned that further delays in treatment could endanger his health. He recommended an independent eye examination by specialists, including Khan's personal doctors, as soon as possible.

Following the report, the Supreme Court ordered formation of a medical team to examine Khan and provision of phone access to his sons in Britain by Feb. 16. Chief Justice Yahya Afridi stated, "Imran's health is the most important," stressing the need for intervention.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf expressed "deep concern" over its leader's vision and reserved the right to pursue legal action against responsible officials. Khan has been detained in Adiala prison in Rawalpindi since August 2023, facing charges that he and his party describe as politically motivated, which government officials deny.