Imran Khan Receives Fifth Eye Injection at PIMS During Follow-Up Examination

PTI Renews Demand to Shift PTI Founder to Shifa Hospital After Late-Night PIMS Checkup

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned since 2023, was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Monday for a follow-up examination, where he underwent his fifth eye procedure.

According to a statement issued by the PIMS administration, the 74-year-old former prime minister, who is currently incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, underwent the procedure as part of continuing treatment for an eye condition that has required a series of intravitreal injections.

The statement said the PTI founder was brought to the hospital for follow-up eye treatment, which included the administration of a fifth anti-VEGF intravitreal injection to him.

“Prior to the procedure, he was examined by the ophthalmologists and was found to be clinically stable. His optical coherence tomography was performed, which showed clinical improvement,” it added.

It said that after “obtaining informed consent and under standard monitoring, adopting all standard precautionary measures and protocols in the operating theatre, he was injected with a fifth dose of intravitreal injection under the guidance of microscopy by the surgeons”.

“During the course of his stay, he remained vitally stable before, during and after the procedure and was discharged along with instructions for further care and follow-up advice and documents,” the statement added.

Earlier, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said that Imran was taken to the PIMS last night and returned to Adiala Jail after receiving treatment.

In a post on X, Barrister Gohar said, “I have just been informed that Khan sab was taken last night to PIMS once again for an injection and then shifted back to Adiyala.” He said the party was renewing its demand for Imran to be shifted from jail to a hospital for treatment under medical supervision.

Barrister Gohar also called for immediate access for the former prime minister’s family to meet him. “We demand meeting with family immediately.”

Imran last underwent the anti-VEGF intravitreal injection on April 28. His eye ailment — right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) — came to light in late January. His first medical procedure was carried out on January 24, followed by a second dose on February 24 and a third dose on March 23.

While Pims did not disclose the exact diagnosis or the medication used in the latest procedure, Khan was diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), according to a report submitted to the Supreme Court by his lawyer and the court’s amicus curiae, Salman Safdar.

CRVO is a serious eye condition that occurs when the main vein responsible for draining blood from the retina becomes blocked. The condition is often linked to cardiovascular risk factors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease.

PTI expresses concern regarding Imran’s health

After Pims’ statement, PTI expressed concern regarding Imran’s health, saying that his multiple visits to the hospital raised “serious questions” about his health and concerns pertaining to transparency.

Secrecy about his health condition and providing partial information in this regard was unacceptable, the party said in a statement.

“The party makes it clear that in such a situation, complete transparency and immediate sharing of information is the government’s and the relevant department’s responsibility,” the statement read.

The party reiterated its demand for shifting Imran to Shifa International Hospital, treating him in the presence of his personal physicians and allowing him to meet his family.

It is pertinent to mention here that over the past few months, the government and the opposition have been engaged in a blame game, with the latter accusing the former of a lack of transparency in not ensuring appropriate treatment for Imran, and not allowing his personal physicians access to him. The government denies these allegations.

The opposition has also demanded that the former premier be shifted to Shifa International Hospital, be treated in the presence of his personal physicians and allowed to meet his family.