Hospital says his vital signs and physical examination were normal, and he remained clinically stable
PTI Founder Imran Khan. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was administered his sixth intravitreal anti-VEGF injection at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad during the early hours of Wednesday, according to a press release issued by PIMS.
“After obtaining informed consent and adopting standard monitoring, precautionary measures and clinical protocols, he was administered an intravitreal anti-VEGF injection by the ophthalmology team,” the statement said.
Imran has received a series of anti-VEGF intravitreal injections in his right eye as part of treatment for right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a condition diagnosed after he reported reduced vision. He received his first injection at the PIMSÂ on January 24. The hospital initially diagnosed him with right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a condition affecting blood flow through the retina, after he reported reduced vision in his right eye.
According to PIMS, Imran was brought from Central Jail Adiala in Rawalpindi to PIMS during the intervening night of November 10 and 11 for a medical check-up and follow-up eye treatment, as advised by his treating ophthalmologist.
“Prior to the procedure, he underwent a medical examination, including ocular assessment. His vital parameters were found to be normal. He was clinically stable, and his general physical examination was normal,” the statement said.
Read: Sister seeks health transfer for Imran
“During his stay at PIMS, he remained vitally stable before, during, and after the procedure,” adding that he was discharged at approximately 2:30am, with necessary instructions for further care and follow-up.
The statement said that Imran remained at PIMS for around 40 to 50 minutes before being transferred back to Adiala Jail after his condition was found to be satisfactory.
The development came a day after Imran’s sister, Uzma Khan, moved the Supreme Court seeking an early hearing of the case concerning his transfer from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital for medical treatment.
The issue of Imran’s transfer dates back to August 18, when the SC ordered authorities to transfer Imran from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital for specialised medical treatment. However, he was taken to PIMS instead and returned to jail after a medical examination. The PTI subsequently filed a contempt petition, alleging that the authorities had failed to implement the court’s order.
Imran’s treatment so far
In late January, Imran was first taken to the hospital for a minor eye procedure. Five days later, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that doctors at PIMS had conducted an examination of his eyes and, after obtaining his written consent, carried out a minor medical procedure that lasted around 20 minutes.
Amid controversy surrounding the eye treatment, PIMS confirmed that Imran was administered an anti-VEGF intravitreal injection to treat right central retinal vein occlusion.
The confirmation came as PTI continued to express concern over the founder’s health, alleging that jail authorities and the government were obstructing his treatment for a serious eye condition, and demanding immediate medical care that included Imran being treated at Shifa International Hospital.
In February, it was revealed by a report prepared by Barrister Salman Safdar on the Supreme Court’s direction that Imran had informed officials that his right eye was functioning at only 15% capacity. Safdar submitted the report to a two-member bench. As a result, the Supreme Court ordered that Imran be granted access to his personal physicians in Adiala Jail and that he be allowed telephone contact with his sons, Kasim and Sulaiman.
Read More: More than meets the eye
Later, a medical board examining Imran reported an improvement in his eyesight and did not recommend shifting him to a hospital. According to the medical report, Imran’s vision in his right eye improved from 6/36 to 6/9, while his left eye had 6/6 vision with the use of glasses. The assessment was carried out by a board comprising Dr Nadeem Qureshi and Dr Arif, following a detailed examination at Adiala jail.
In March, another medical check-up was conducted at Adiala, after which PIMS stated that Imran had shown significant improvement in his vision following his second dose of an intravitreal anti-VEGF injection. The third dose was subsequently administered on March 23.
Imran received his fourth anti-VEGF injection at the PIMSÂ on April 28, 2026, as part of treatment for right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). An optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan conducted before the procedure showed clinical improvement, according to the hospital. His fifth injection was administered on June 15, with doctors again reporting improvement in his eye condition.
Imran’s wife, Bushra Bibi, also underwent a medical examination at Adiala in March after complaining of pain in her right eye. She was reportedly examined by Dr Muhammad Arif Khan, head of the ophthalmology department at PIMS. The medical report stated that she had been experiencing blurred vision and black spots in her right eye; she also reported seeing flashes in the dark and said she was suffering from headaches.
The examination diagnosed Bushra Bibi with posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) in her right eye. The report also identified myopia and astigmatism. After the diagnosis, Bushra Bibi was prescribed eye drops and medication, along with the use of glasses. She was reportedly recommended a follow-up medical check-up after four weeks.
The former first lady then underwent eye surgery on the evening of April 16.
Imran and Bushra Bibi remain incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. They were sentenced on December 20, 2025, to 17 years in prison in the Toshakhana-II case, which pertains to allegations that the couple unlawfully retained a Bulgari jewellery set gifted by the Saudi crown prince during an official visit to Saudi Arabia.
Imran has been in custody since August 2023, serving a sentence in a ÂŁ190 million corruption case. He also faces pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act in connection with protests on May 9, 2023.
