Imran Khan examined by doctors in jail as PTI rejects medical inspection

A court-ordered medical check was carried out inside a high-security jail.
Imran Khan’s party questioned the process and the government’s intent.
Health concerns have reignited political and legal tensions in Pakistan.

What happened:
A team of doctors examined jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan inside Adiala Jail after reports of severe vision loss.

Why it matters now:
The issue has escalated into a legal and political flashpoint involving prisoners’ rights, judicial oversight, and state accountability.

What changes for people:
The case could influence how medical care for high-profile detainees is handled and monitored in Pakistan.

Who is affected:
Imran Khan, his family, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Pakistan’s judiciary, and the wider political climate.

Court-ordered medical check inside jail

Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan was examined on Sunday by a team of doctors following concerns about his eyesight. The examination was conducted inside the high-security Adiala Jail, where Khan is currently incarcerated.

The medical visit followed directions from the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which had ordered a detailed check-up before February 16 after a PTI lawyer raised concerns about Khan’s health.

Vision loss triggers alarm

According to a report submitted to the court, Khan complained of losing around 85% vision in his right eye. Sources said doctors examined the affected eye for nearly an hour and collected blood samples before leaving the jail.

Last month, Khan had been taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad, where a medical procedure was reportedly performed on his eye. Despite that treatment, he later told his lawyer that his vision had worsened.

Hospital shift delayed, doctors sent instead

Government officials had indicated that Khan might be moved to a hospital for treatment. Instead, authorities opted to bring a medical team to the jail, a decision that immediately drew criticism from his party and family.

PTI leaders and Khan’s relatives had been demanding that he be allowed treatment at a private hospital, citing the seriousness of the condition and the need for independent medical oversight.

PTI rejects the inspection

The PTI categorically rejected the jail-based medical examination, calling it unacceptable without the presence of Khan’s family and personal doctors. In a statement posted on X, the party accused the government and jail administration of acting in bad faith.

The party said the issue was never about whether PTI leaders were present, but about the right of Khan’s family to make informed medical decisions. Without his personal doctors involved, PTI argued, the examination lacked credibility and legal justification.

Political fallout and public reaction

Supporters of the former prime minister staged protests in several cities, including Karachi, voicing concerns about his health and detention conditions. The issue has added to existing political tensions, with opposition figures framing the matter as one of human rights and due process.

Khan, a former cricketer-turned-politician, has been in jail since August 5, 2023, following his arrest after conviction in a corruption case. He remains lodged in Adiala Jail under high security.

Bottom line:
Imran Khan’s medical examination has gone beyond a health issue, becoming a test of trust between the state, the judiciary, and the opposition in an already polarised political environment.

What to watch next:
Whether the court orders an independent medical board or hospital transfer, and how the government responds to mounting legal and political pressure over Khan’s treatment.