Tag: Adiala Jail

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday directed the formation of a medical team to examine former prime minister Imran Khan’s eye after a report submitted in court quoted the PTI founder as saying he had “only 15 per cent” vision remaining in his right eye.

The court also instructed that Imran be allowed to speak to his children. Both the eye examination and the phone calls were ordered to be conducted before February 16.

The directives came as a two-member bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi and including Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan, resumed hearing a case concerning Imran’s living conditions in Adiala jail.

Imran underwent a medical procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on the night of January 24.

CJP Afridi noted, “The issue of Imran’s health is most important. Intervention was necessary.” He added, “We want to know the government’s stance on the matter of his health.” Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan responded, “It is the state’s responsibility to provide medical facilities. If the prisoner is not satisfied, then the state will take measures.”

The chief justice also highlighted the importance of the former premier’s phone calls with his children, saying, “We are trusting the government. The government is in a good mood today.”

PTI counsel Advocate Salman Safdar, appointed amicus curiae, submitted a seven-page report to the court after meeting Imran at Adiala jail on Tuesday. According to the report, Imran told Safdar that “despite the treatment administered (including an injection), he has been left with only 15 per cent vision in his right eye.” He added that until October 2025, he had normal 6 x 6 vision in both eyes and began experiencing blurred vision thereafter, which was repeatedly reported to the jail superintendent without action.

The report stated, “Imran suffered a sudden and complete loss of vision in his right eye. An ophthalmologist from PIMS Hospital, Dr Muhammad Arif, examined him. He was diagnosed with a blood clot that caused severe damage, and despite treatment, only 15 per cent vision remains.” Safdar observed that Imran appeared “visibly perturbed and deeply distressed” during the meeting.

Safdar’s report also noted that personal physicians Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Asim Yusuf had not been allowed access during a period of deteriorating vision and that no regular blood tests were conducted. Imran told Safdar that “for nearly three months, the only treatment administered consisted of eye drops, which resulted in no improvement and was followed by major impairment of vision in his right eye.”

A separate medical report dated February 6, signed by PIMS Executive Director Dr Rana Imran Sikander, confirmed a diagnosis of right central retinal vein occlusion and stated that hospital-based follow-up treatment was recommended.

Islamic cleric Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza, who was recently released from jail, has revealed hearing Imran Khan’s voice, and observing the movements of the former incarcerated prime minister (PM) from a nearby barrack.

Appearing on journalist Irshad Bhatti’s YouTube channel, Mirza broke silence on his experiences during the 103 days he remained in custody following his arrest in a blasphemy case in August. Besides discussing his time in jail, the cleric also clarified perceptions about the treatment of prisoners, including ex-premier Khan.

“When Imran Khan used to come for breakfast, we couldn’t actually see him, but his caretaker would already be preparing his breakfast right there. He used to arrive exactly at 9 am, and at 3 pm he would come again to have the evening meal,” Mirza revealed about the routine of the ex-PM, who remains locked up at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail over corruption charges.

He also said they could hear conversations between Khan and his caretaker due to the layout and construction of the barracks, which separated them with a 10 or 12-feet high wall not connected to the ceiling.

Mirza said Khan’s voice was recognisable because it has a certain depth, and he could hear at least a few sentences every time Khan spoke.

When Bhatti asked about the contents of Khan’s conversations, Mirza said, “They would be discussing cricket. Obviously, he wouldn’t discuss anything else.”

He added that despite public perception, Khan had access to a television, newspapers and an open area.

“Imran Khan was given six prison barracks, whereas we were given three. He had six complete ones, in front of that, he was also given access to an open space… but at the end of the day, it is still a jail,” he said. 

Regarding meals, Mirza said that all discussion about Khan having desi ghee and other food of choice in jail was completely true. “We could smell those dishes.”

Mirza also spoke of the situation after November 4 when reports claimed Khan had been shifted to solitary confinement.

“After November 4, we stopped hearing his voice. I asked an on-duty person to confirm his well-being and I was told that Khan now sits on the other side because of sunlight from that direction,” he added. 

The interview follows Mirza’s release on bail. The Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) in the start of this month approved his release in a case alleging religious hatred, ordering him to submit two surety bonds worth Rs500,000 each. 

Earlier, the Cyber Crime Wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had registered the case, alleging that a video on Mirza’s YouTube channel contained blasphemous remarks.

Charges faced by Mirza fall under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which carries the death penalty, and Section 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, relating to content inciting sectarian or interfaith hatred.

He has himself filed a petition challenging the FIA probe and a fatwa against him by the Punjab Quran Board.