Rawalpindi, Feb 24 (.) Taking strong exception against the government’s secrecy over the health status of their founder, Imran Khan, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has heavily criticised the federal government over its alleged lack of transparency on the matter, after the former Pakistani premier was taken to hospital in the early hours of Tuesday for follow-up eye treatment amid rumours of his deteriorating vision.
According to a doctor at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Khan was brought to the facility on February 24 to receive a second dose of an anti-VEGF intravitreal injection for right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a condition affecting blood flow in the eye. Rumours of his ailing health had become public in late January, and his first procedure, carried out on January 24, was also confirmed by the government several days later.
The PIMS doctor said Khan was examined prior to the procedure by a board of specialists, including a consultant cardiologist who performed echocardiography and an ECG — both reported as normal — as well as a consultant physician, reports Dawn.
After obtaining informed consent, the doctors followed up with standard monitoring protocols as per hospital regulations, with the injection being administered in the operating theatre by a consultant ophthalmologist and a consultant vitreo-retinal surgeon from PIMS and Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital.
The procedure was reportedly conducted as day-care surgery, with the doctor saying that Khan’s vitals had remained stable before, during, and after the injection, and was later discharged with follow-up instructions before being returned to Adiala Jail.
Another doctor at PIMS, speaking on condition of anonymity, said security at the hospital was heightened on Monday night.
He said Khan arrived at around 11:30 PM and was taken back to jail at approximately 1:30 AM. Additionally, tests and a physical examination were carried out to assess his fitness for undergoing the procedure, and he was monitored in recovery before being cleared for transfer.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said in a post on X that the government had taken Khan to PIMS under strict security arrangements while fulfilling all legal and humanitarian obligations.
He added that doctors had observed improvement in Khan’s eyesight after the first injection and had recommended a second dose accordingly. A third injection is scheduled for March 24, he said.
According to Chaudhry, providing medical facilities to prisoners was the state’s responsibility and that the process had been conducted in accordance with regulations.
The PTI, however, has not been satisfied with statements given, questioned why the visit was not publicly disclosed in advance.
In a statement on its official X account, the party said the situation was in great need of transparency, and objecting to Islamabad’s attempts at secrecy, said that the federal govt’s “clandestine actions only give rise to more questions”. It reiterated its demand that Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for what it described as independent and transparent medical care.
The party also reshared a video appearing to show a convoy travelling at night, with a voice claiming the vehicles were returning from PIMS. It could not be independently verified whether the convoy was transporting the former premier.
In a separate statement, the opposition alliance Tehreek e Tahafuz Ayin Pakistan (TTAP) called for Khan to be immediately moved to Shifa International Hospital and for his treatment to take place in the presence of his personal doctors and family members.
The coalition group demanded an explanation for what it described as irresponsible conduct and urged the adoption of a transparent mechanism to address concerns over Khan’s medical care.
The government has denied allegations of indulging in any kind of secrecy or providing inadequate treatment, though Khan’s health has become a focal point of contention between the federal govt and the political opposition. . . KK