Imagine a former prime minister facing a medical crisis in custody, with his eye health deteriorating while questions swirl about accountability. That’s the core situation described in a recent court-filed briefing about Imran Khan, the jailed ex-PM of Pakistan. A lawyer appointed by the Supreme Court, acting as amicus curiae, says Khan has only 15 percent vision left in his right eye after months of alleged inaction by jail authorities. The claim adds another layer to the ongoing controversy surrounding Khan’s imprisonment.
The amicus curiae, Barrister Salman Safdar, spoke with Khan for two hours on February 10 and toured his detention facility before delivering a seven-page report to the court on the following Wednesday. The report portrays a troubling health trajectory for the 73-year-old, who has been in custody since August 2023 on a slate of charges.
Key points from Safdar’s findings include a rapid decline in Khan’s vision over the past three months while under the supervision of former jail superintendent Abdul Ghafoor Anjum, who was reassigned in mid-January. Despite repeated complaints of blurred and hazy vision, the document states that jail authorities did not take corrective action. Safdar writes that Khan then experienced a sudden and complete loss of vision in his right eye. A medical evaluation dated February 6, 2026, diagnosed the issue as a right central retinal vein occlusion—a serious condition caused by a blood clot that can severely damage the retina. An ophthalmologist from a prominent government hospital in Islamabad later confirmed the diagnosis.
Safdar notes that Khan appeared visibly distressed during the interview, with watery eyes and the need for tissues. The report warns that further delays could jeopardize Khan’s health and calls for an immediate independent ophthalmic examination, including assessments by Khan’s own doctors. In response to the report, the Supreme Court promptly directed the formation of a medical team to assess Khan’s eye and ordered him to have phone contact with his sons, who live in the United Kingdom. Both tasks were instructed to be completed by February 16.
Chief Justice Yahya Afridi underscored the importance of Khan’s health and the necessity of intervention. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party—founded by Khan—voiced grave concern over the reported decline in his eyesight and criticized the treatment he has received. PTI demanded immediate and unrestricted access to Khan’s personal physicians, urgent transfer to a reputable hospital for specialized eye treatment, and the restoration of family visitation rights and access to legal counsel. The party warned that it may pursue legal action against officials involved.
Khan, a highly regarded former cricket captain who became prime minister in 2018 amid allegations his election benefited from military backing, was ousted in 2022 via a no-confidence vote. He and his supporters have long contended that his removal involved undue influence from the military and foreign actors. Since his overthrow, Khan has faced a wave of legal challenges that his party says are aimed at sidelining Pakistan’s most popular opposition leader. He has spent his post-coup years in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, mostly in solitary confinement for over two years.
In June 2024, a United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded that Khan’s detention lacked legal basis and appeared designed to disqualify him from holding political office. The latest court-ordered medical review follows months of restricted access to Khan, with Safdar noting limited contact with Khan’s lead counsel and his family, and only sporadic visits permitted after changes in jail administration.
As the health situation unfolds, political commentary intensifies. PTIAdvocates argue for transparency and accountability, while observers question the handling of Khan’s health in a detention system that many see as politically charged. What responsibilities do the authorities have to provide timely medical care to detainees, and how should courts balance security concerns with urgent health needs? Share your thoughts below and tell us whether you think Khan’s health rights are being protected or neglected, and what reforms you would advocate to prevent similar situations in the future.
