Imran Khan underwent ‘20-minute medical procedure’ at Islamabad’s Pims, confirms info minister

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Thursday confirmed that incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan underwent a medical procedure for an eye ailment last week at a hospital in Islamabad.

Speaking to Geo News, Tarar said the former premier, who is imprisoned at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad for a “20-minute” medical procedure on the night of January 24.

“Eye experts examined him in Adiala jail, after which they recommended that it was necessary to take him to Pims for a small medical process. Last Saturday night, he was taken to Pims on the recommendation of these eye doctors and experts,” Tarar said.

He added that at Pims, Imran’s “eyes were further examined, and after his written approval, a 20-minute medical procedure was performed”. The ex-premier was then taken back to the Adiala jail with “important instructions”.

“During the medical procedure, his vitals and everything were stable. He’s absolutely healthy,” Tarar stated.

The minister asserted that “all prisoners” have access to doctors and medical treatments when such an issue arises. “This is in accordance with the [jail] rules, and he is absolutely healthy,” he added.

Asked about the concerns raised regarding Imran’s health, Tarar reiterated that the PTI founder was “absolutely fine”.

The minister stressed that it was the medical experts’ opinion to take Imran to Pims for a medical procedure. “He is absolutely fine, and he was also perfectly fine when this medical procedure was being performed.”

On Tuesday, the PTI said it had learned through credible reports that Imran had been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in his right eye, “resulting in a dangerous blockage in the retinal vein”.

Citing medical experts, the party had said that if not treated promptly and properly, CRVO could cause permanent damage to his eyesight.

Also on Tuesday, PTI MNAs filed a fresh petition before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking permission to meet Imran.

According to a senior doctor at Pims, Imran was brought to the hospital under strict security on Saturday night for the procedure, which took quite some time.

“Whatever procedure was going on, it was completed when the time reached in the A.M. So we can say that he was taken back on Sunday,” he claimed.

The doctor said there was “extraordinary movement” on Saturday night, and the operation theatres and the anaesthesia room were cordoned off ahead of Imran’s arrival at Pims.

Imran’s sister demands his medical reports be made public

Prior to Tarar’s confirmation, Imran’s sister Noreen Niazi had raised concerns about why the PTI founder’s family and lawyers were not being kept informed if the reports of his medical treatment were true. She also asked for his medical reports to be made public.

“I am a sister, and today my question is directed towards the corridors of power,” Niazi said on X this morning.

“According to multiple journalists and media sources, our brother, Imran Khan, was taken under the cover of the night to the Pims hospital on the pretext of eye treatment. He was kept there for three hours, and then transferred back to Adiala jail in an atmosphere of extreme mystery and terrifying silence,” she stated.

Contending that it was a “blatant crime” if the reports were true, Niazi asked: “Why does no one have the courage to tell the truth to Imran Khan’s family and lawyers? Who is this being hidden from, and on whose orders?

“What treatment is our brother being subjected to inside the jail, and why are our family and lawyers being kept in the dark?”

Niazi again demanded that Imran’s family, personal doctors and lawyers be allowed to meet him, adding that “make his complete medical reports public”.

“This is no longer a request, it is a final warning!” she stated.

Asserting that Imran was “not just another prisoner”, his sister alleged, “To endanger his health is nothing less than an attempt to blind the entire country.”

“Remember, if even the slightest harm comes to Imran Khan’s eye, this injustice will not be buried in silence. After that, no one else’s eyes will remain safe,” Niazi added.