Aleema Khan Rejects Government's Stance on Imran Khan's Eye Treatment

Aleema Khan, sister of former prime minister Imran Khan and founder of PTI, issued a statement on Tuesday rejecting the government’s version of events after Imran Khan was taken to the hospital for the fifth time for an eye ailment.

She stated on X that reports indicated Imran Khan was transported to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in the early hours of June 15. She learned of this through a tweet by Barrister Gohar later that morning. Aleema Khan dismissed any medical reports from Pims regarding Imran Khan's condition, citing previous claims by the institution, such as 90 percent eyesight recovery, which Imran Khan reportedly rejected.

Aleema Khan questioned the necessity of a fifth injection and demanded that Imran Khan be examined and treated by independent, qualified specialists at Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad. She emphasized this as an urgent priority.

She further contended that authorities have violated a court order permitting six family members to meet Imran Khan every Tuesday over the past eight months. She stated that her sister, Dr. Uzma Khan, has only been allowed to meet him a few times, with her last meeting occurring on December 2, 2025.

Aleema Khan rejected what she termed the government's continued use of isolation and deprivation as tools of pressure. She asserted that the denial of Imran Khan’s rights constitutes a clear violation of both the jail manual and high court orders. She detailed entitlements under the jail manual, including weekly telephone calls with his sons, weekly meetings with family and legal counsel, access to books, television, newspapers, proper medical treatment, regular check-ups, and notification of immediate family members before any medical procedure. Court orders, she added, stipulate that he be allowed to speak with his sons and that lawyers, family, and party representatives can meet him on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Aleema Khan demanded the immediate restoration of all Imran Khan’s lawful rights as a prisoner, with access to independent and professional medical treatment in the presence of family as the highest and most urgent priority.

Imran Khan was brought to Pims for a follow-up eye treatment on Monday, which involved the administration of a fifth anti-VEGF intravitreal injection. According to the hospital, he was examined by ophthalmologists and found to be clinically stable. His last anti-VEGF intravitreal injection was on April 28. The eye ailment, identified as right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), first emerged in late January, with initial procedures conducted on January 24, February 24, and March 23.

The government and opposition have been engaged in a debate over the past few months, with the latter accusing the former of a lack of transparency regarding Imran Khan's treatment and denying access to his personal physicians. The government denies these allegations. The opposition has also advocated for Imran Khan's transfer to Shifa International Hospital, treatment by personal physicians, and permission for family visits.

(Source: Dawn Pakistan)