Imran Khan's Family Alleges Severe Prison Mistreatment, Demands Medical Transfer
The family of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan has issued a stark warning, claiming he is enduring "unimaginable mistreatment" while incarcerated and demanding immediate transfer to a proper medical facility. This dramatic development follows Khan's own report to a visiting lawyer that he has lost approximately 85 per cent of the vision in his right eye due to alleged inadequate healthcare services in prison.
"Deliberate Cruelty" Under "Asim Law"
Khan's sister, Noreen Niazi, made explosive allegations in a social media post, stating that the former premier is suffering under what she termed "Asim Law"—a reference to Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir. She claimed this has directly led to irreversible damage to Khan's right eye, diagnosed as retinal vein occlusion.
"Imran Khan, a global celebrity, philanthropist, and former prime minister of Pakistan, has endured unimaginable mistreatment in prison under the directives of 'Asim Law,' now facing irreversible damage to his right eye as a direct consequence," Niazi declared. She described the situation as not mere negligence but deliberate cruelty, executed through what she called an "evil and conniving master plan" of General Asim Munir.
Niazi emphasized that given the severity of Khan's condition—where he has already lost most vision in one eye—proper treatment is impossible in a prison setting. The family's constitutional and legal demand is for his immediate transfer to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad under the supervision of his personal physicians.
Political Protests and Road Blockades Escalate
The controversy has triggered significant political mobilization. Pakistan's opposition alliance, Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP), has continued a sit-in protest in Islamabad demanding better health facilities for the jailed former leader. The alliance, with Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as its main force, launched protests at two key locations including near the parliament building.
In a dramatic escalation, PTI has cut off Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province from the rest of the country through road blockades. Protestors have vowed to continue their demonstrations until Khan is transferred to a private hospital for specialist care.
International Cricket Community Voices Concern
The situation has drawn attention beyond Pakistan's borders. More than a dozen former international cricket captains have issued a joint statement appealing to the Islamabad government to provide Khan with "adequate" medical treatment. Led by former Australian captain Greg Chappell—a contemporary of Khan during his cricketing days—the signatories include:
- Michael Atherton, Michael Brearley, Nasser Hussain, and David Gower (England)
- Allan Border, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Steve Waugh, and Kim Hughes (Australia)
- Clive Lloyd (West Indies)
- John Wright (New Zealand)
Their statement respectfully urges Pakistan "to ensure that Imran Khan receives immediate, adequate and ongoing medical attention from qualified specialists of his choosing," while also emphasizing that Khan deserves fair and transparent access to legal processes.
Government Response and Medical Reports
Pakistani authorities have firmly rejected the allegations. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told media that the government has no intention to "politicise" Khan's health matters, while accusing the opposition of doing exactly that. He criticized the PTI's response as "extremely inappropriate" and misleading to the public.
The government presented medical findings from a two-member doctor team that examined Khan. According to their report:
- Without glasses, Khan's right eye vision was recorded at 6/24 partial, while the left eye measured 6/9
- With corrective glasses, the right eye improved to 6/9 partial and the left eye to 6/6
- Swelling in the right eye decreased from 550 to 350 microns—termed a sign of improvement
The doctors recommended eye drops for both eyes and advised additional tests, contradicting claims of complete medical neglect.
Legal and Institutional Context
Pakistan's Supreme Court has already requested a report on Khan's living conditions in Adiala jail near Rawalpindi, relating to a case pending since 2023. Authorities had previously confirmed that Khan underwent a 20-minute medical procedure in January at a government hospital in Islamabad, though no further details were provided.
Khan's close aide Zulfi Bokhari revealed that the former premier remains deeply concerned about his eye condition, telling his wife Bushra Bibi that his "first and only priority" is an immediate emergency meeting with his personal physicians Dr. Faisal Sultan and Dr. Asim.
As the situation develops, it represents a significant flashpoint in Pakistan's political landscape, with implications for prisoner rights, medical ethics in incarceration, and the country's international reputation regarding treatment of political figures.
