Pakistan’s political landscape heated up as PTI, led by jailed founder Imran Khan, escalated its battle for his medical rights. On Wednesday, the party lodged a urgent petition in the Supreme Court, expressing deep discontent with the eye treatment provided to the ex-premier. The filing seeks court orders for Khan to be treated at Shifa International Hospital by retina experts and to consult trusted private doctors.
Submitted by advocate Sardar Latif Khosa post a recent checkup, the plea ties back to the Toshakhana corruption case that first jailed Khan in 2022. It lists the Islamabad election commissioner as defendant and outlines specific demands: immediate hospital transfer, involvement of Drs. Faisal Sultan and Asim Yusuf in procedures, family access during visits, and delivery of signed medical reports to lawyers.
Khosa painted a grim picture of Khan’s condition at 73, calling his declining health a worry for the nation. He slammed the government’s handling at PIMS hospital as shrouded in mystery, with zero updates to family or independent physicians. ‘This secretive approach is unacceptable and raises grave suspicions,’ he stated firmly.
Background reveals Khan’s CRVO diagnosis in January, treated initially on the 24th but publicly acknowledged five days later. Critics, including PTI, have long alleged inadequate care and opacity, fueling demands for private medical input. Government rebuttals have fallen on deaf ears amid persistent outcry.
With Khan’s legal woes compounding, this Supreme Court bid represents PTI’s strategic push for accountability in healthcare for political detainees. Observers watch closely as the judiciary weighs in on balancing security with medical ethics.