ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan received his sixth intravitreal anti-VEGF injection at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad early Wednesday as part of his ongoing treatment for a retinal condition affecting his right eye.
PIMS said that Imran was transferred from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi to the hospital during the night between November 10 and 11 for a medical assessment and follow-up treatment on the recommendation of his ophthalmologist.
The hospital said he underwent a comprehensive medical examination, including an assessment of his eyes, before the procedure. His vital signs were normal, and doctors found him clinically stable, with no abnormalities reported during his general physical examination.
“Following informed consent and the completion of standard clinical checks and precautionary measures, the ophthalmology team administered an intravitreal anti-VEGF injection,” the hospital said.
PIMS added that Imran remained stable throughout the procedure and subsequent monitoring. He was discharged at approximately 2:30am after spending around 40 to 50 minutes at the facility and was subsequently taken back to Adiala Jail with medical instructions and recommendations for further follow-up.
The former prime minister has been receiving anti-VEGF injections for right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a condition that affects blood circulation in the retina and can cause vision impairment. He initially reported reduced eyesight in his right eye and received his first injection at PIMS on January 24, 2026.
Medical treatment and court proceedings
The latest medical procedure comes a day after Imran’s sister, Uzma Khan, approached the Supreme Court, requesting an early hearing of a petition concerning his transfer from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital for specialised medical treatment.
The matter dates back to August 18, when the Supreme Court directed the authorities to shift Imran to Shifa International Hospital for specialised care. However, he was subsequently taken to PIMS instead and returned to prison after undergoing a medical examination. The PTI later filed a contempt petition, alleging that the authorities had not complied with the court’s directions.
Imran’s eye treatment began in January when he was taken to PIMS for an examination and a minor medical procedure. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar subsequently confirmed that doctors had examined his eyes and performed a procedure lasting approximately 20 minutes after obtaining his written consent.
PIMS later clarified that the procedure involved an intravitreal anti-VEGF injection to treat CRVO.
Concerns about his eyesight intensified in February when a report prepared by Barrister Salman Safdar, following his appointment by the Supreme Court, disclosed that Imran had told officials his right eye had retained only 15 per cent of its vision.
Following the submission of the report, the Supreme Court directed authorities to facilitate access to Imran’s personal doctors at Adiala Jail and allow him telephone contact with his sons, Kasim and Sulaiman.
A subsequent medical assessment by a board comprising Dr Nadeem Qureshi and Dr Arif reported improvement in his eyesight. His right-eye vision had improved from 6/36 to 6/9, while his left-eye vision was recorded at 6/6 with corrective glasses. The medical board did not recommend transferring him to a hospital at that stage.
In March, another medical examination was conducted at Adiala Jail. PIMS reported further improvement following his second anti-VEGF injection, while the third dose was administered on March 23.
His fourth injection was given at PIMS on April 28. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan conducted before the procedure indicated clinical improvement, according to the hospital. The fifth injection followed on June 15, with doctors again reporting progress in his eye condition.
Bushra Bibi’s medical condition
Meanwhile, Imran’s wife, Bushra Bibi, also underwent an eye examination at Adiala Jail in March after complaining of discomfort and visual disturbances in her right eye.
She was examined by Dr Muhammad Arif Khan, head of the ophthalmology department at PIMS. Her medical assessment recorded blurred vision, black spots, flashes of light in darkness and headaches.
Doctors diagnosed her with posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) in the right eye, along with myopia and astigmatism. She was prescribed medication and eye drops, advised to use corrective glasses and asked to return for a follow-up examination after four weeks.
Bushra Bibi subsequently underwent eye surgery on the evening of April 16.
Imran and Bushra Bibi remain imprisoned at Adiala Jail. The couple were sentenced to 17 years in prison on December 20, 2025, in the Toshakhana-II case involving the retention of a Bulgari jewellery set allegedly gifted by the Saudi crown prince during an official visit to Saudi Arabia.
Imran has been in custody since August 2023 and is also serving a sentence in the £190 million corruption case. He faces additional proceedings under the Anti-Terrorism Act in connection with the May 9, 2023, protests.
