Health Assessment Follows Islamabad High Court Directive
A newly constituted medical board has completed a health assessment of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. The examination was conducted following explicit instructions from the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
Details of the Medical Examination
The jail administration confirmed that a team of five specialist doctors and supporting medical staff carried out a thorough, two-hour examination. The board was specifically formed by the Islamabad chief commissioner to evaluate Khan’s health, particularly concerning a diagnosed eye condition.
The medical team included:
- ENT specialist Professor Altaf Hussain
- Cardiologist Professor Akhtar Ali Bandesha
- Dr. Muhammad Ali Arif
- Professor Nadeem Qureshi from Al-Shifa Eye Hospital
The administration stated that the board will submit a comprehensive report to the chief commissioner, who will then decide, under applicable prison rules, whether Khan requires transfer to a hospital or can continue treatment within the jail facility.
Background on Khan’s Medical Condition
Khan has been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a serious condition where the main vein draining blood from the retina becomes blocked. Medical literature associates CRVO with cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease. This diagnosis was previously submitted to the Supreme Court by his legal counsel.
The former prime minister has been taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad twice from Adiala Jail for treatment of his right eye, with his most recent visit occurring on February 24 for a follow-up examination. A third injection in his treatment course is reportedly scheduled for March 23.
Legal Context and Court Orders
The IHC’s order last week rejected a petition seeking Khan’s transfer to a private hospital, instead mandating the formation of the medical board. A division bench emphasized that, under the Pakistan Prison Rules, the government holds the authority to transfer a convicted prisoner for special treatment.
The court’s three-page order instructed that the board’s recommendations be submitted promptly and that Khan’s family must be kept informed of any serious medical developments. It also reaffirmed Khan’s right to continue meetings with his lawyers and family members as previously directed.
The final decision regarding a potential hospital transfer now rests with the Islamabad chief commissioner, pending the medical board’s official report.
