RAWALPINDI: Bushra Bibi, wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has been shifted back to Adiala jail in Rawalpindi after undergoing eye surgery for retinal detachment, sources said on Friday.
The sources affiliated with the prison said Bushra, the former first lady, had complained of impaired vision in her right eye, prompting the jail administration to arrange an immediate examination by ophthalmology specialists.
Following the assessment, doctors confirmed retinal detachment and advised urgent surgery. The insiders said she was moved to a private hospital in Rawalpindi on the evening of April 16, where necessary pre-operative tests and medical evaluations were completed.
After having her consent, the procedure was carried out by Dr Nadeem Qureshi along with a medical panel.Following the surgery and an overnight stay at the hospital, Bushra was discharged and transferred back to the Adiala jail.
The sources further said her condition is now stable, adding that post-operative check-ups and follow-up care would be conducted in line with doctors’ recommendations.Later, the former first lady’s family members, including her daughter, son-in-law and sister-in-law, were allowed to meet her at the Rawalpindi prison.
Her sister, Mariam Riaz Watto, had earlier said in a post on X that the family had been called to the hospital, where her daughters were present. She also revealed that Bushra was to undergo surgery as part of her treatment.
Earlier today, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan confirmed Bushra’s hospitalisation, saying the party had received information about the transfer of the incarcerated former first lady to a medical facility on Thursday night.
In a statement released on X, Barrister Gohar called for immediate access for the families of both Imran Khan and his wife, while reiterating demands for the former premier to also be shifted to a hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Gohar said he had been informed late at night via a message about Bushra Bibi’s hospitalisation and was awaiting a detailed briefing on her condition.
He stressed that family members should be granted permission to meet her.Emphasising the urgency, the PTI chairman said access to medical care and family visits are fundamental rights under the law. “Their health is too serious, and every Pakistani is deeply concerned,” he added.
The former first lady was arrested in January 2025 following her conviction in a case related to the misuse of authority and corruption involving Al-Qadir University.Later in December 2025, a special court sentenced Khan and his wife Bushra to 17 years’ imprisonment each in the Toshakhana-2 case involving under-priced purchase of luxury state gifts.
Meanwhile, Khan, 73, has been imprisoned at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail since August 2023, facing multiple legal cases ranging from corruption to terrorism. His imprisonment has been a consistent point of contention between the PTI and the government, with the party frequently raising concerns regarding his access to medical care and family visits.
According to reports submitted to the Supreme Court by his legal team, including the court’s amicus curiae Salman Safdar, the former prime minister has been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). The condition, which can lead to sudden or gradual vision loss, occurs when the main vein draining blood from the retina becomes blocked.
It is often linked to cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease. Khan has complained of losing 85% of the vision in his right eye. Medical records indicate that the PTI founder has undergone multiple eye procedures at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), including the administration of anti-VEGF intravitreal injections to reduce retinal swelling.
During these hospital visits, doctors have also performed broader health assessments, including cardiology tests, which have previously declared him medically stable.The latest visit to hospital was in March when he underwent a third eye procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), where doctors declared his vision satisfactory following a detailed examination.
A medical board comprising five specialists — including experts in cardiology, ENT, and ophthalmology — also conducted a two-hour assessment of the PTI founder at Adiala jail, acting on instructions from the Islamabad High Court (IHC). While the IHC recently directed the capital city’s chief commissioner to ensure a medical board is constituted to monitor his health, it has rejected petitions seeking his transfer to a private hospital.
The issue of access to the incarcerated leader remains sensitive as Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has confirmed that a blanket ban on meetings with the former prime minister has been in effect since December 2025.
It may be noted that the PTI had also recently announced a rally aimed at securing Imran Khan’s release from jail this month (April) but postponed it in the wake of ongoing diplomatic engagements in the federal capital in the wake of United States and Iran peace process.