Imran Khan had bandage over eye, taken through dark hospital: Sister breaks down

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was taken to PIMS for an eye and blood pressure check-up before returning to Adiala Jail. His sister, Dr Uzma Khan, alleged he had a bandaged eye, was taken through a dark hospital using mobile-phone light and received inadequate care, while also alleging torture and solitary confinement. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan (File Photo)Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was taken to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad for an eye and blood pressure check-up, with his sister, Dr Uzma Khan, claiming he had a bandage over one eye and was taken through the "dark" hospital using the light from a mobile phone."There was darkness in the PIMS, and he was taken in the light of a mobile phone," she said, adding, "I told him, 'Walk slowly.'"Uzma made the remarks while addressing a press conference on Friday, as her eyes welled up with tears while she raised concerns over Imran's health and alleged that he was being subjected to inhuman treatment in jail.She claimed that no blood test was conducted during the check-up and said, "We don't know who the doctor was." Uzma also claimed that Imran's condition was "not good" and that he told his sisters he was being "severely tortured" and that no one listened to his voice in jail.She alleged that Imran's health had deteriorated due to a lack of human contact inside Adiala Jail. She also claimed that he had not been provided with reading material or a television and was living in solitude. Meanwhile, Imran Khan's personal physician, Dr Faisal, said he had been taken to Shifa International Hospital around 8 pm on Thursday but was repeatedly kept waiting for Khan's arrival.Dr Faisal said hospital officials later told him that Imran was unlikely to arrive, after which he was driven back. "I had no meeting with Imran Khan," he said.Imran Khan was taken back to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi after undergoing a medical examination at PIMS in Islamabad early Friday.It said doctors from Al-Shifa hospital were also present during the examination. Earlier, Imran’s international media spokesperson, Zulfi Bukhari, had said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder had been moved to the privately-owned Shifa International Hospital in line with a Supreme Court order.The Supreme Court had on August 18 directed that Imran Khan, 73, be taken to the hospital within two days after a medical report submitted before it said he was suffering from ‘level three plus’ anxiety.The term refers to severe anxiety in which worry overwhelms daily tasks, causes intense physical strain and disrupts clear thinking.The court also said Imran should remain at Shifa hospital until the next hearing of his case on September 16, ordered the formation of a medical board to assess and treat him, and allowed him one weekly meeting with his family during his stay there.On Wednesday, the government moved a petition seeking a review and recall of the order, but the registrar’s office returned it on Thursday, citing incomplete paper books.Imran was arrested on August 5, 2023, in a corruption case and has remained in custody since then. He has been held at Adiala Jail on the outskirts of Rawalpindi. His relatives and supporters have repeatedly alleged human rights violations and have accused the authorities of limiting his access to proper medical care, family meetings and legal counsel.One of the main issues in Imran’s case has been an eye condition. Over the past few months, he has been taken to PIMS several times for treatment after his ailment, right central retinal vein occlusion, came to light in late January.Since then, demands for his transfer to a private hospital have grown. Earlier this month, Amnesty International also accused Pakistani authorities of systematically denying him a fair trial and subjecting him to prolonged unlawful solitary confinement.- EndsPublished By: Sayan GangulyPublished On: Aug 21, 2026 16:55 IST