Pakistan says jailed former premier Imran Khan to receive specialized eye treatment

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - Pakistan’s government said Saturday that jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan will undergo specialized treatment for his eyes, as opposition lawmakers continued protests demanding his hospitalization.

“Pursuant to ongoing eye treatment of Imran Khan; further check-up and treatment will be done in a specialized medical facility by best eye specialists. A detailed report thereof will also be submitted in the Supreme Court,” Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a post on the US-based social media platform X.

“Conjecture, speculations and efforts to turn this into political rhetoric and mileage for vested interests may please be avoided,” he added.

Lawmakers from the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz-i-Ayeen Pakistan continued a protest outside parliament in the capital, Islamabad, for a second day Saturday, calling for Khan to be admitted to a hospital.

Khan’s sister, Aleema Khanum, said he was allowed to speak with his sons, who live in the UK, for about 20 minutes.

The developments follow a report submitted Thursday to the Supreme Court by Salman Safdar, a lawyer who met the former prime minister Tuesday at Adiala jail in Rawalpindi.

The report said Khan was left with 15% vision in his right eye, prompting a strong reaction from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party and his supporters.

Khan, who was removed from office by parliament in April 2022, has been jailed since late 2023 in connection with several cases that his party says are politically motivated.