Jailed Former PM Khan Receives Fifth Eye Treatment at Islamabad Hospital
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ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan, currently incarcerated, received his fifth intravitreal injection at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Monday, as reported by hospital officials. Doctors noted clinical improvement in his eye condition following the procedure.
Khan, 74, has been under medical care for retinal vein occlusion, a retinal vascular disorder caused by blood vessel blockages that risk vision loss. This marks his fourth intravitreal treatment this year at PIMS, with prior injections administered in April.
Since his August 2023 detention at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi—linked to politically contested cases—Khan’s health has drawn significant attention. A lawyer disclosed earlier this year that his vision in one eye had worsened during imprisonment, prompting legal appeals.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and family members have persistently advocated for the release of his personal physicians and transfer to Shifa International Hospital for specialized care. PTI member Sayed Zulfikar Bokhari confirmed the administration’s recent briefing on the procedure but reiterated demands for his transfer.
The hospital’s statement detailed the procedure: Khan underwent the injection under microscopic guidance after informed consent and standard operating protocols. Post-procedure, he was deemed stable, with optical coherence tomography revealing improved retinal imaging.
Anti-VEGF injections, used to manage retinal vein occlusion, aim to reduce retinal swelling and inhibit abnormal blood vessel growth. Authorities affirmed Khan remained clinically stable throughout and after treatment, though continued follow-up is advised.
Khan’s removal from the prime ministership in April 2022 via a no-confidence vote has fueled claims of foreign and military interference—a narrative denied by Pakistan’s government, judiciary, and the United States. His PTI party alleges politically motivated prosecutions, while courts assert decisions adhere to legal procedures.
Ongoing legal battles since imprisonment have further intensified the partisan nature of his health disputes, with advocates and critics framing the case through divergent ideological lenses.