In the silent, high-security corridors of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), a medical procedure took place in the early hours of Tuesday that has reignited a fierce political firestorm.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan was transported from Adiala Jail under the cover of night to receive a second follow-up treatment for a serious eye condition, an event that the opposition decries as a “clandestine” operation shrouded in state secrecy.
Khan is currently battling Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) in his right eye, a condition that surfaced in late January. CRVO occurs when the main vein that drains blood from the retina becomes blocked, potentially leading to severe vision loss if not managed with precision.
Imran Khan’s Family and Allies Dispute Official Medical Reports on His Prison Health
According to hospital sources, the procedure involved a second dose of an anti-VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) injection. This treatment is designed to reduce swelling and prevent the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina.
PIMS officials confirmed that a multidisciplinary board—including cardiologists and physicians—cleared Khan for the surgery after normal ECG and echocardiography results.
The injection was administered by a collaborative team of retinal specialists from PIMS and Al-Shifa Eye Hospital. While the government describes the two-hour visit (from 11:30 PM to 1:30 AM) as a standard “day care” procedure, the timing has fueled allegations of a cover-up.
*PTI Statement on the Surreptitious Hospitalization of Imran Khan amidst Denial of Access to his Family & Personal Physicians*
The founding chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan, was once again secretly moved to a hospital under the cover of darkness. It is deeply…
— PTI (@PTIofficial) February 24, 2026
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has reacted with indignation, questioning why the state persists in treating their leader under a veil of darkness.
The party’s official stance is clear: they demand “transparency, not secrecy.” The central point of contention remains the government’s refusal to allow Khan’s personal physicians or family members to oversee his care.
Aleema Khanum, the former premier’s sister, has been vocal in her distrust of state-run facilities. She alleges that PIMS staff are being coerced into silence and maintains that the family was never notified of the procedure, a move she describes as a criminal violation of prisoner rights.
The family’s demand is specific: an immediate transfer to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, where independent specialists can verify his diagnosis and progress.
World Cricket Icons Call for Humane Treatment of Imprisoned Imran Khan
On the other side of the aisle, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry maintains that the state is simply fulfilling its legal and humanitarian obligations.
He noted that the first procedure in January showed marked improvement in Khan’s vision, justifying this second round. A third injection is already scheduled for March 24.
The government insists the arrangements are “transparent and according to regulations,” yet the “blame game” continues to overshadow the clinical reality of Khan’s health.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on Friday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan would be transferred to a hospital on February 25 for medical treatment, clarifying that the hospitalisation would be limited solely to administering his… pic.twitter.com/JMU1HDW1qT
— Pakistan Economic Network (@NetPakistan) February 21, 2026
As the political climate in Pakistan remains volatile, the medical charts of its most famous prisoner have become a new battlefield.
The PTI sees the issue no longer just about a retinal occlusion; it is about the “fundamental rights” of a leader they believe is being denied credible care.
Khan’s supporters contend that until an independent medical board—inclusive of Khan’s personal doctors—is allowed access, the “clandestine” nature of these midnight hospital runs will continue to erode public confidence.
Kiran Asim is a writer who covers the U.S., Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East. Her reports and analyses look at the geostrategic issues and contemporary developments and their economic and political implications. She also writes about society and education.
