Web desk: A report by Bloomberg journalists Tooba Khan and Bilal Hussain states that former prime minister Imran Khan has requested immediate release on medical grounds because he suffers from a serious eye condition. Consequently, his petition, filed in the Islamabad High Court, provides formal evidence of this request. In addition, his legal team has asked the court to suspend his 17-year prison sentence.
Khan’s lawyers argue that a blood clot has severely affected his right eye. Therefore, they say he needs urgent examination and treatment from his personal doctors. Moreover, the petition warns that delayed care could worsen his condition, making prompt action critical.
Lawyer Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry added that prison authorities have not yet allowed private physicians full access. Furthermore, he noted that several bail applications have remained pending for an extended period, increasing concerns about Khan’s health.
In December 2025, the court sentenced Khan to 17 years in prison in the Toshakhana reference case after it convicted him of undervaluing state assets. Meanwhile, he also serves a sentence in another case, in which authorities allege that he facilitated the transfer of 190 million pounds recovered by the UK National Crime Agency.
Last week, the court ordered authorities to provide medical facilities for Khan. Subsequently, prison doctors examined him on February 15. However, leaders of his political party expressed dissatisfaction with the official medical assessment, emphasizing the need for independent evaluation.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry stated that authorities would transfer Khan to a hospital if necessary. Similarly, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced that the government would submit a medical report to the court. Nevertheless, officials had not moved Khan to a hospital at the time of publication.
Meanwhile, Khan’s sons, Qasim Khan and Suleman Khan, who live in the United Kingdom with their mother Jemima Goldsmith, described their father’s imprisonment as a violation of human rights. On social media platform X, Qasim Khan claimed that prolonged solitary confinement directly caused his father’s vision loss. However, the government rejected these allegations, asserting that it provides all legal and medical facilities in accordance with the law.
Analysts point out that political tensions have remained high since Khan’s government ended in 2022. As a result, his supporters describe the situation as a political crisis. Furthermore, party lawmakers have staged a sit-in protest for the third consecutive day, demanding his release and fair hearings for pending appeals.
Ultimately, court proceedings and upcoming medical findings will likely determine the direction of this case. Observers believe that the outcome could once again shape Pakistan’s political landscape, potentially influencing national politics in the near future.
Read more: Imran Khan’s eye condition shows positive improvement, sources
