RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Tuesday expressed concern over media reports suggesting that jailed party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan was suffering from a serious eye ailment.
Speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail, Barrister Gohar said he had learned through the media that Imran Khan was reportedly facing an eye infection.
“If this is true, it is extremely worrying,” he said, stressing that unhindered family meetings were essential in such circumstances.
Earlier, PTI cited what it described as “credible media reports” claiming that Imran Khan had been diagnosed with Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) in his right eye, a condition caused by blockage of the retinal vein.
In a statement posted on the party’s official X account, PTI said medical experts who had reportedly examined the former premier in jail described the condition as “highly sensitive and serious”, warning that delayed or improper treatment could lead to permanent loss of eyesight.
The party alleged that the Adiala Jail administration was insisting that treatment be carried out within the jail premises, despite an attending specialist stating that such treatment required an operation theatre and specialised medical facilities not available in jail.
“This attitude places Imran Khan’s eyesight and overall health in grave danger,” the party said.
PTI further claimed that the former prime minister was last allowed to consult his personal physician in October 2024, calling the restriction a “blatant violation of court orders and a gross breach of fundamental human rights”.
The party demanded that Imran Khan be immediately allowed unrestricted meetings with his family and close associates to reassure them about his condition. It also called for his transfer to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital or any other hospital of his choice for proper medical treatment.
PTI warned that responsibility for any permanent damage to the former prime minister’s eyesight would rest with the government and jail authorities.
Subsequently, the administration of Shaukat Khanum Hospital requested that a medical team be granted immediate access to Imran Khan. In a post on the hospital’s official X account, the administration expressed concern over his health but said it could not independently verify the reported diagnosis.
However, Imran Khan’s sister, Noreen Khan, dismissed the reports, saying that the PTI founder was in good health and had no eye-related medical issue.
She alleged that false information was being deliberately circulated to create confusion and anxiety.
Imran Khan has been incarcerated since August 2023 and faces multiple cases, including allegations of corruption and terrorism, following his removal from office through a no-trust motion in April 2022.
Meanwhile, Barrister Gohar reiterated his demand for uninterrupted family meetings, saying such interactions — including meetings with Bushra Bibi — should not be influenced by political considerations. He noted that Bushra Bibi met her family on November 2, 2025, while Imran Khan last met his family on December 2, 2025.
Commenting on national security, the PTI chairman said there should be no political compromise on the issue of terrorism.
“Provincial and federal governments must protect lives and property,” he said. “There can be no negotiations with those who target us.”
