ISLAMABAD, Mar 12 (APP): The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed the chief commissioner of the federal capital to constitute a medical board to assess the health condition of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, while disposing of a petition seeking his transfer to a private hospital for treatment.
A division bench comprising Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro heard the plea requesting that the former prime minister be shifted to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for eye treatment.
During the hearing, the court was informed that the jailed PTI founder had been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a serious eye condition, according to a report submitted to the Supreme Court of Pakistan by his lawyer and court-appointed amicus curiae Salman Safdar.
CRVO occurs when the main vein responsible for draining blood from the retina becomes blocked and is often associated with cardiovascular risk factors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease.
Court orders fresh medical assessment
In its three-page written order, the bench directed that a medical board be formed immediately to conduct a fresh examination of the PTI founder, regardless of earlier medical assessments.
The court directed that the board should include Dr Muhammad Arif Khan, head of the ophthalmology department at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, and Prof Dr Nadeem Qureshi, head of the vitreo-retina department at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi.
The medical board has been instructed to submit its recommendations to the Islamabad chief commissioner at the earliest.
Based on the board’s recommendations, the chief commissioner will decide, in accordance with the law and relevant prison rules, whether the PTI founder should be shifted to a hospital outside the prison premises or continue receiving treatment inside the jail.
Transfer request rejected
The court, however, rejected the request seeking the transfer of Imran Khan from prison to a private hospital.
The bench observed that under the Pakistan Prison Rules, the authority to remove a convicted prisoner from jail for special medical treatment rests with the government.
It further noted that the court’s jurisdiction under Section 561-A of the Criminal Procedure Code could not be invoked to replace the executive authority’s powers in this regard.
Previous medical examinations noted
The order stated that Imran Khan had already undergone several medical examinations on January 16, January 24, February 2 and February 20, 2026, according to a report submitted by the superintendent of Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi.
The report indicated that his condition had shown improvement following treatment.
The court added that the newly formed medical board would work in addition to the treatment measures already undertaken.
Meetings with family and lawyers
The bench also observed that the matter regarding meetings between the PTI founder and his lawyers had already been decided by a larger bench of the IHC in its order issued on March 24, 2025.
The court directed authorities to follow the mechanism outlined in that ruling and ensure that the former prime minister is allowed to meet his lawyers and family members.
The court further instructed prison authorities to inform the family of the PTI founder in case of any serious medical condition in accordance with jail rules, and directed Prof Dr Nadeem Qureshi to remain in contact with the family regarding his medical status.
The former prime minister had been taken twice from Adiala Jail to PIMS Islamabad for treatment of his right eye. His latest visit took place on February 24 under strict security for a scheduled follow-up examination.
According to reports, he is expected to receive the third injection in the treatment course on March 23.