PTI founder Imran Khan. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) said on Tuesday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan received a fourth dose of an intravitreal injection as part of his eye treatment.
According to a statement, Imran was brought to PIMS for follow-up eye treatment on April 28. “Prior to the procedure, he was examined by ophthalmologists and found to be clinically stable. His optical coherence tomography was performed, which showed clinical improvement.”
“After obtaining informed consent and under standard monitoring, while adopting all operating room precautions and protocols, he received the fourth intravitreal injection under the microscopic guidance of surgeons,” the statement said.
Stating that the procedure was performed as a day care operation, PIMS said Imran “remained vitally stable before, during and after the procedure,” adding that he “was discharged with further care instructions, follow-up advice and documents.”
Read: Government reveals report on Imran’s eye treatment
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar said in a post on X that it had just been confirmed to him that Imran was taken to PIMS last night for an eye injection and a medical check-up.
“I would add that whatever the treatment, our concern remains unanswered – Imran and Bushra Bibi should be moved to a hospital for treatment under the supervision of their personal doctors, accompanied by family members,” he said.
Gohar said this was their fundamental right and they had been demanding its implementation for a long time.
It was just confirmed to me that Khan Sab was taken to PIMS last night for an eye injection and medical checkup.
I would like to add that regardless of the treatment our concern remains unanswered – Khan sab and Bushra BB are being moved to the hospital for treatment under the supervision of personal…— Barrister Gohar Khan (@BarristerGohar) 28 April 2026
At the end of January, Imran was first taken to the hospital for a minor eye procedure. Five days later, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said doctors at PIMS had examined his eyes and, after obtaining his written consent, performed a minor medical procedure lasting about 20 minutes.
Amid controversy surrounding the eye treatment, PIMS confirmed that Imran received an anti-VEGF intravitreal injection to treat right central retinal vein occlusion.
The confirmation came as the PTI continued to express concern over the founder’s health, claiming that the jail authorities and the government were preventing his treatment for a serious eye condition, and demanded immediate medical attention, which included Imran being treated at the Shifa International Hospital.
In February, it was revealed by a report prepared by lawyer Salman Safdar on the direction of the Supreme Court 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 given access to his personal doctors in Adiala prison and that he be allowed telephone contact with his sons, Kasim and Sulaiman.
Read more: More than meets the eye
Later, a medical board that examined Imran reported an improvement in his vision and recommended against moving him to a hospital. According to the medical report, Imran’s right eye vision 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 consisting of Dr. Nadeem Qureshi and Dr. Arif after a detailed investigation in Adiala Jail.
In March, another medical check-up was carried out at Adiala, after which PIMS stated that Imran had shown significant improvement in his vision after his second dose of an intravitreal anti-VEGF injection. The third dose was subsequently given on 23 March.
Imran’s wife, Bushra Bibi, also underwent a medical examination in Adiala in March after complaining of pain in her right eye. She was allegedly examined by Dr. Muhammad Arif Khan, Head of Ophthalmology Department at PIMS. The medical report stated that she had experienced blurred vision and black spots in her right eye; she also reported seeing flashes in the dark and said she suffered 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 20 December 2025 to 17 years in prison in the Toshakhana-II case, which relates to allegations that the couple illegally kept a Bulgari jewelery 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 £190m corruption case. He also faces pending charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act in connection with the May 9, 2023 protests.
