Islamabad: PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja on Wednesday claimed that PTI founder Imran Khan had lost vision in one eye due to alleged torture in prison and was facing serious health risks while in custody.
Speaking to reporters outside the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Raja alleged that the PTI founder had been imprisoned for 1,000 days and was being denied basic constitutional rights.
The claim comes days after Imran Khan was administered a fourth intravitreal eye injection at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences on April 28 as part of his ongoing follow-up treatment.
According to a report submitted to the Supreme Court by Khan’s lawyer and the court’s amicus curiae, Salman Safdar, the jailed PTI founder had been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a serious eye condition.
CRVO occurs when the main vein responsible for draining blood from the retina becomes blocked. The condition is commonly linked to cardiovascular risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease.
During the media interaction, Raja further alleged that meetings with Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were being restricted and that court orders regarding visitation rights were not being implemented.
“Signatures on vakalatnamas are being blocked, while only selected individuals are allowed to meet him,” Raja claimed, adding that Imran Khan’s sisters were also not being allowed meetings despite what he described as the PTI founder’s “serious health condition”.
The PTI leader also alleged that Bushra Bibi was facing “false cases”, including Toshakhana-related references, which he claimed were based on statements made by government witnesses.
Raja said petitions had been filed in the Supreme Court but alleged that no hearings were taking place. He added that the party had exhausted all legal avenues and would now present its case before the people of Pakistan.
Referring to the broader political situation in the country, Raja said Pakistan needed stability, claiming that the economy had been destroyed and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was “drenched in blood”.
“There were no such restrictions even during the British era,” he said, while also alleging that the judiciary had been weakened and judges were being transferred to other provinces as punishment.