PTI Chairman Confirms Transfer, Demands Family Access
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced on Friday that Bushra Bibi, the wife of incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan, was shifted from prison to a hospital late Thursday night. In a statement on social media platform X, Gohar said the party received information regarding her transfer to a medical facility and is awaiting a detailed briefing on her treatment.
Gohar emphasized the urgency of the situation, calling for immediate permission for family members to visit both Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan. He renewed demands for the former premier to be transferred to a hospital for necessary medical treatment, stating, “The earlier, the better.”
Imran Khan’s Deteriorating Health in Focus
The development comes amid escalating concerns over the health of 73-year-old Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail since August 2023. According to medical reports submitted to the Supreme Court, Khan has been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a serious eye condition that can lead to sudden vision loss and is often linked to cardiovascular risk factors.
Khan has reportedly lost 85% of the vision in his right eye. His medical records show he has undergone multiple procedures at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), including anti-VEGF intravitreal injections to reduce retinal swelling. During hospital visits, broader health assessments have been conducted, with doctors previously declaring him medically stable following examinations.
Legal and Political Standoff Over Medical Access
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) recently directed the capital’s chief commissioner to ensure a medical board monitors Khan’s health. However, the court has rejected petitions seeking his transfer to a private hospital. A five-member medical board conducted a two-hour assessment at Adiala Jail in March, acting on IHC instructions.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that a blanket ban on meetings with the former prime minister has been in effect since December 2025, making family access a contentious issue. Gohar stressed that access to medical care and family visits are basic legal rights, adding, “Their health is too serious and every Pakistani is deeply concerned.”
Broader Political Context
Imran Khan’s imprisonment on multiple charges ranging from corruption to terrorism has been a persistent point of contention between the PTI and the government. The party had announced a rally this month aimed at securing his release but postponed it due to ongoing diplomatic engagements in Islamabad related to the US-Iran peace process.
The hospitalization of Bushra Bibi, who served as first lady during Khan’s premiership, adds another layer to the ongoing political and legal drama surrounding Pakistan’s most prominent incarcerated political figure.
