Islamabad, February 12, 2026 : Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Thursday directed authorities to constitute a medical board to examine jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s eyesight after concerns were raised about vision loss in one eye.
A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan ordered a detailed medical check-up to be conducted before February 16. The court also instructed authorities to allow the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder to speak with his children over the phone.
Khan, 73, has been lodged in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, since August 5, 2023, following his arrest in a corruption case. During the hearing on his living conditions, the Chief Justice observed that Khan’s health was a priority matter and said judicial intervention was necessary.
The order came after the apex court had asked PTI lawyer Salman Safdar to meet Khan in jail and submit a report on his health and facilities. In the report, Safdar stated that Khan claimed he had suffered a sudden and severe loss of vision in his right eye due to a blood clot, leaving him with only 15 per cent vision despite medical treatment.
According to the report, Khan said he had normal 6×6 vision until October 2025 but later developed persistent blurred vision, which he alleged was not promptly addressed by jail authorities. An ophthalmologist from PIMS Hospital later examined him and administered treatment.
However, Safdar clarified a day earlier that any statements attributed to him regarding Khan’s health were misrepresented, reiterating that he had described the former premier as “fine and healthy” while speaking to reporters.
The Attorney General for Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan, told the court that providing medical facilities to prisoners is the state’s responsibility.
Further proceedings in the case are awaited following the medical board’s report.
