The latest chapter in Pakistan’s political drama revolves around Imran Khan’s eye treatment, with PTI fiercely challenging the government’s secretive approach. Khan, the jailed PTI leader and ex-premier, received his second anti-VEGF injection at PIMS on February 24 amid heightened scrutiny.
diagnosed with CRVO in his right eye late last month, Khan’s first treatment on January 24 faced delayed disclosure, fueling opposition outrage. PTI alleges inadequate care, blocked private physician access, and opacity in reporting—charges the government dismisses outright.
Medical details paint a picture of thorough preparation: a panel of specialists, including cardiologists running ECGs and echoes, oversaw the process. Guidance came from vitreo-retinal experts at PIMS and Rawalpindi’s Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital. The outpatient procedure ended with Khan in stable condition and promptly discharged.
Contrast this with PTI’s preference for Islamabad’s Shifa International, where family doctors could intervene freely. Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry took to X to defend the move, emphasizing secure transport and compliance with all requirements. He disclosed the next dose for March 24.
PTI fired back on social media, decrying the ‘secrecy’ and insisting it breeds suspicion. ‘What are they hiding?’ the party asked, pushing for transparent, independent treatment at Shifa.
This back-and-forth highlights broader trust deficits in Pakistan’s establishment-opposition relations. Khan’s incarceration has amplified every health update into a national controversy, testing the limits of political discourse and medical ethics in a high-stakes environment.