Imran can be admitted to hospital on court orders: Sanaullah

Says if apex court orders or doctors recommend, he will be admitted to any hospital where treatment is available

Prime Minister's Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan could be moved to a hospital if directed by a court, amid the party's demands regarding his health and calls for his transfer to Islamabad's Shifa International Hospital.

Imran has been in custody since August 2023, serving a sentence at Adiala Jail in a £190 million corruption case. He also faces pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act in connection with protests on May 9, 2023.

Read More: Khosa raises concern over Imran health

The PTI has intensified calls for his release after a medical report submitted to the court stated that vision in his right eye had dropped to 15 per cent. Government officials, however, maintain that he is receiving appropriate medical care.

Speaking in an interview on programme 'Capital Talk' on a private news outlet, Sanaullah said the PTI founder was in judicial custody and not under executive or any other form of detention.

He added that in line with instructions of the apex court, a team of specialist doctors had examined Imran and observed that hospitalisation was not necessary.

Read: Aleema criticises PTI leadership over silence on Imran's health

“If a court now issues orders or doctors recommend hospitalisation, he will be admitted to any hospital where treatment is available,” Sanaullah said.

Referring to restrictions on meetings between the jailed PTI founder and party leaders, he said the curbs were imposed after alleged violations of jail rules by the PTI leadership and Imran’s family.

“Rumours regarding his health began circulating after the restrictions were put in place,” he said, adding that to address concerns, a meeting was arranged between Imran and his sister at the jail.

Sanaullah emphasised that the satisfaction of the family or the party did not affect the legal process.

“The law does not consider these things; it only obliges the government to ensure that if a person is in judicial or executive custody and falls ill, the highest standard of medical treatment is provided. This has been strictly followed in this case,” he said.

According to Sanaullah, five senior eye specialists examined Imran twice and recommended treatment, which was being provided. “All medical reports are available. If any additional relief is sought, the Supreme Court will have to be approached,” he added.

Also Read: Khosa raises concern over Imran health

Speaking on the same programme, PTI parliamentary leader Shahid Khatak said the family did not trust the doctors currently treating Imran.

“We have three demands: that a personal doctor be present, that an eye specialist examine him, and that two or three family members be allowed to meet him,” he said. “At least one of his sisters should be permitted to see him.”

Khatak said the eye was a sensitive organ and that the necessary instruments for treatment were available at Shifa International Hospital. “He should be shifted there in the presence of doctors and family members, and the family should be informed of any treatment or procedure carried out,” he added.

Expressing concern over Imran’s health, Khatak asked who would be held responsible in the event of any serious medical complication.

“His health is a top priority and should not be viewed as a political issue,” he said, adding that the concerns of Imran’s sisters were understandable given that they did not have access to his doctors.

Imran was brought to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Scicnes for follow up eye-treatment i.e. second dose of anti VEGF intra vitreal injection in the wee hours of Tuesday. Prior to the procedure, he was examined by a board of specialists, which included consultant cardiologist who also performed echocardiography and ECG.

Read More: Medical board reports improvement in Imran Khan’s eye condition

Last week, a medical board that examined him reported an improvement in his eyesight and did not recommend transferring him to a hospital. According to his medical report, his vision in his right eye has improved from 6/36 to 6/9, while his left eye retains 6/6 vision with the use of glasses. The assessment was conducted by Dr Nadeem Qureshi and Dr Arif, following a detailed examination at Adiala jail.

According to the medical report, the anterior segment of both eyes was normal and the cornea was clear. It noted mild intragel haemorrhage at the edge of the right eye and moderate retinal haemorrhage in all four quadrants. Swelling in the macula of the right eye was subsiding, with macular thickness reduced from 550 to 350 microns.

The board outlined ongoing medication and treatment and recommended OCT angiography and fundus fluorescein angiography after completion of anti-VEGF therapy, the report added, while no recommendation was made for Imran’s transfer to a hospital.