Silent treatment

Silence around the health of a prisoner is never a trivial matter. Reports that Bushra Bibi, the former first lady, underwent eye surgery and was swiftly moved back to Adiala Jail have raised questions than they have answered, and in matters of custody, unanswered questions are themselves a cause for concern.

According to jail authorities, the spouse of ex-PM Imran Khan was diagnosed with retinal detachment, operated upon at a private hospital in Rawalpindi and subsequently discharged after a single night of observation. The sequence sits uneasily with both prison protocols and basic medical prudence. Retinal surgery typically requires careful post-operative monitoring to guard against complications that can compromise vision permanently. A one-night hospital stay followed by immediate transfer back to a prison environment does little to inspire confidence that such monitoring is being adequately ensured. More troubling is the information gap. There is little clarity on whether her family has been fully apprised of her condition and of the success of the surgery, or the risks that it entailed. The right of a patient - even one in custody - to have their immediate family informed is fundamental. The government must act to close this credibility gap. Members of her family, along with designated representatives from her party, should be allowed to meet her and assess her condition firsthand. Political actors, particularly within the PTI, must also move beyond statements of concern. Pressure, where warranted, must be channelled through legal and institutional avenues to ensure that due process is followed.

Custody does not suspend a citizen's right to proper medical care, nor does it permit ambiguity around their wellbeing. When the state takes responsibility for an individual, it assumes an even greater obligation to uphold care. In this case, both appear to be in short supply.