In the Imran Khan health case, the Supreme Court on Thursday ordered that the PTI founder be given access to specialist eye doctors and directed that a full eye examination be carried out before February 16. The court also instructed authorities to allow Imran Khan to speak on the phone with his sons, Kasim Khan and Sulaiman Khan.
The matter came before the court a day after PTI lawyer Salman Safdar submitted a detailed report following his visit to Adiala jail, where he met the former prime minister. Safdar had been appointed as a friend of the court and was tasked with assessing Imran Khan’s condition and the facilities available to him in jail.
A two-member bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan, heard the case. During the proceedings, the chief justice said that health concerns were the most serious issue and required judicial attention. He added that the court wanted a clear response from the government regarding the health of the PTI founder.
The Supreme Court directed that a formal medical board be formed to conduct the eye examination. According to the report presented in court, Imran Khan described the medical facilities at Adiala jail as unsatisfactory and specifically requested access to expert ophthalmologists. The report also noted that the jail superintendent’s account matched the findings of the friend of the court.
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan informed the bench that the government was prepared to provide specialist eye treatment. He stated that ensuring medical care for prisoners was the responsibility of the state and assured the court that necessary steps would be taken if any inmate expressed dissatisfaction.
While addressing the Imran Khan health case, Chief Justice Afridi stressed that the former prime minister is currently in state custody and must receive medical care on the same basis as other prisoners. He made it clear that the court would not allow any special or preferential treatment but would ensure equality under the law.
The chief justice also highlighted the importance of allowing Imran Khan to communicate with his sons and said the court was relying on the government to facilitate this right. He further noted that the trial court had already issued its decision, while related appeals were pending before the high court. The Supreme Court, he added, has reserved its order in the main case.