Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was transported from Adiala jail to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad during the night between November 10 and 11, 2026, for a medical examination and follow-up eye treatment.
A Pims official confirmed that the former premier underwent an ocular assessment and a medical examination prior to the procedure. The hospital official stated that Imran's vital parameters were found to be normal, he was clinically stable, and his general physical examination was unremarkable. Following the advice of his treating ophthalmologist and after obtaining informed consent, the ophthalmology team administered an intravitreal anti-VEGF injection. The official noted that Imran remained clinically stable before, during, and after the procedure, and was discharged at around 2:30am with instructions for further care.
The hospital administration reported that the examination included follow-up treatment for his eyes and that all of Imran's vital medical indicators were within normal limits. Sources indicated that the former prime minister was moved under tight security arrangements, which were also maintained during his return to prison.
This medical development occurred one day after an Islamabad High Court division bench, comprising Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif, directed that lawyers Latif Khosa and Salman Safdar be allowed to meet Imran and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in Adiala jail. The court issued these directives while hearing appeals filed by the couple against their convictions in a £190 million case. An accountability court had previously sentenced Imran to 14 years' imprisonment with a Rs1 million fine, and Bushra Bibi to seven years' imprisonment with a Rs500,000 fine.
During a Tuesday hearing, lawyer Khosa told the court he had repeatedly sought a meeting with the former premier but had not been allowed. Khosa requested at least an hour-long meeting, prompting the court to direct the Islamabad advocate general to arrange the meeting. Barrister Salman Safdar also requested a meeting, stating a previous meeting was insufficient for instructions. Safdar told the court that Imran reported his eyesight had improved but warned that his blood pressure remained uncontrolled, posing a risk of brain haemorrhage.
Imran has been imprisoned since August 2023. His eye ailment—right central retinal vein occlusion—was identified in late January. On August 18, the Supreme Court directed the government to move him to Shifa International Hospital after a jail report noted complaints of uncontrolled blood pressure, palpitations, headache, and restlessness. A medical board on August 10 recommended a one-hour daily walk, relaxation, access to media, and more frequent interaction with family to control his anxiety and blood pressure.
While the court ordered a transfer to Shifa International Hospital, the government took the PTI founder to Pims, a government hospital, and returned him to prison. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar blamed the security situation created by PTI workers for the diversion. The PTI has denied these allegations and accused the government of deliberately flouting the court's orders.
