ISLAMABAD: Two specialists from Shifa International Hospital participated in the eye examination of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), the hospital administration said on Saturday.
According to a statement issued by PIMS, Khan was brought to the Islamabad hospital during the night between August 20 and 21 for a medical examination and treatment.
The hospital said the two Shifa specialists specifically took part in Khan’s eye examination, while other relevant PIMS specialists conducted his remaining medical tests.
PIMS added that the medical opinion obtained from the eye examination was considered together with the results of the other investigations before doctors reached their overall assessment.
Medical board finalises fitness report
Following the examinations, a medical board consisting of PIMS doctors finalised Khan’s medical fitness report.
However, the hospital declined to release details of the report, citing patient confidentiality as well as directives issued by the Supreme Court.
The development comes amid ongoing concerns surrounding Khan’s eyesight and his medical condition while in prison. His lawyers and family members have previously raised concerns about his health, while the government has maintained that medical examinations have not identified a condition requiring immediate hospital treatment.
Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar said on Friday that a team of doctors, including an ophthalmologist, cardiologist and physician, had conducted a detailed examination and declared Khan medically fit.
Supreme Court had ordered examination at Shifa
The medical examination followed a Supreme Court order issued earlier in the week directing authorities to transfer Khan to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for a comprehensive medical check-up.
The court had also directed that he be given access to a medical panel that included his personal physician.
کچھ مزید تفصیلات:
طبی معائنہ پمز ہسپتال میں کرایا گیا جس میں الشفا ہسپتال کے ڈاکٹرز بھی موجود تھے۔
پی ٹی ائی کے کارکنوں کی طرف سے جو سیکیورٹی کی صورتحال الشفا ہسپتال کے راستے میں اور باہر پیدا کی گئی اس کے پیش نظر ان کو پمز ہسپتال لے جایا گیا اور طبی معائنے کے مطابق وہ صحت… https://t.co/soNoD1bmu1
— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) August 21, 2026
However, instead of taking Khan to Shifa, authorities brought him to PIMS during the night. The government later explained that the change in venue was made because of security concerns allegedly arising from the presence of PTI workers along the planned route.
After the examination, Khan was transferred back to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. Tarar said he returned to the prison at around 5am.
PTI calls move a violation of court order
The change in hospital venue has triggered a strong reaction from PTI leaders, who have announced plans to seek contempt proceedings.
PTI leadership argues that the Supreme Court’s directions were not fully followed because Khan was examined at PIMS rather than Shifa and was reportedly not given access to his personal physician as directed by the court.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi described the development as contempt of the Supreme Court, while the party said it would pursue legal action.
Khan’s sister, Uzma Khan, who was present during his medical examination, also told reporters that the former premier claimed he had been repeatedly subjected to torture in prison. There was no immediate response from representatives of the interior and law ministries or prison authorities to requests for comment regarding those allegations.
Jailed PTI Leaders Appeal to CJP Over Imran Khan’s Medical Treatment
Khan remains in Adiala Jail
Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 and has repeatedly said that the legal cases against him are politically motivated. The government has rejected that allegation.
His lawyers and family have raised concerns about his deteriorating eyesight, particularly vision in his right eye. Khan was seen wearing a patch over one eye following the examination, although his sister said he appeared stable and fit.
The development also drew significant attention from his supporters. PTI supporters gathered along roads in Islamabad overnight, with footage showing people throwing flowers at a vehicle believed to be carrying Khan to the hospital.
Meanwhile, PTI leaders say preparations for a planned September 27 protest march have intensified following the latest dispute over Khan’s medical examination.
For now, PIMS has confirmed that specialists from Shifa participated in Khan’s eye examination and that its medical board declared him medically fit. However, the hospital has withheld the detailed findings, citing medical confidentiality and the Supreme Court’s directives.
