Family disputes claim on Imran's vision

ISLAMABAD:

Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan has allegedly informed his family that his eyesight is deteriorating, despite government claims that the PTI founder's vision had improved following a recent examination by a medical team at Adiala Jail.

Hours after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated at a press conference in Lahore that Imran was satisfied with his treatment, Imran's sister-in-law, Maryam Riaz Wattoo, wrote on X about her meeting with her sister Bushra Bibi, who is also detained at Adiala Jail.

"[Bushra told me that] during today's jail meeting [between the husband and wife], Imran Khan told [Bushra] that he is deeply concerned about his eye as it is not improving. He said government-appointed doctors conducted blood tests but did not share the reports with him.

"He added that even if the reports were shared, he would not be satisfied unless his personal doctors, Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Asim, are allowed to examine him and conduct the necessary tests themselves," Maryam claimed.

According to her, Bushra Bibi urged Imran's legal team to approach the Supreme Court with an urgent petition seeking permission for his personal physicians to examine him as soon as possible. PTI's official X account stated that, according to family sources, Imran informed Bushra Bibi during a recent prison meeting that his eyesight was deteriorating and that he was concerned about worsening vision.

Earlier, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also accused the opposition of politicizing Imran Khan's health. He claimed PTI leaders were satisfied with the former premier's treatment but blamed Aleema Khan for delays in the eye examination. "All I can tell you is that Aleema Khan told her party that if we accept this, the issue will die down. Because of her, the medical check-up could not be conducted for three days," he said.

However, Imran's sister Aleema Khan rejected the minister's claim, insisting that her brother was not satisfied with the treatment.

"They had to hold a press conference just to blame me. I feel sorry that they have to go on television and tell so many lies simply because our family is asking for medical treatment for our brother," she told reporters.

"We went to Adiala Jail to see Imran Khan but were stopped at Chakri and held there until 4:45 pm. Through Bushra Imran, we learned that his eyesight is not improving. He requested that his personal doctors, Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Asim, be given access to examine him. "

Meanwhile, the TTAP has made ending its sit-in conditional on the acceptance of its demands.

In a formal declaration, it said Imran must be granted immediate access to his personal physicians, including private access without delay for Dr Asim and Dr Faisal, and that all medical reports and test results be shared immediately.

The opposition alliance further demanded that Imran's personal doctors be given full authority to provide independent medical opinions, be allowed to examine him without pressure from the government medical board, that continuous follow-up medical examinations be ensured, and that the government provide a written explanation for any obstruction or delay in his treatment.