Former prime minister Imran Khan underwent another eye procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad during the night between November 10 and 11, 2026. Hospital officials confirmed that doctors examined the jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder before administering an injection to treat his existing eye condition. They described him as clinically stable throughout the procedure and discharged him at approximately 2:30am. The latest hospital visit has renewed attention to Khan’s medical care while in custody, particularly following earlier Supreme Court directions concerning his treatment. Although hospital officials reported no immediate complications, questions remain over the arrangements for his continued care and compliance with judicial orders.
Imran Khan Eye Treatment Conducted at PIMS Islamabad
Authorities transferred Khan from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi to PIMS on the advice of his treating ophthalmologist. Before beginning the procedure, doctors conducted a general medical examination and assessed his eyes. According to a hospital official, the examination found his vital signs within normal limits, while his overall physical condition remained stable. The ophthalmology team then administered an intravitreal anti-VEGF injection after obtaining informed consent and following standard clinical precautions. Hospital officials reported that Khan remained stable before, during and after treatment. Doctors discharged him at around 2:30am with instructions for further care and follow-up. The hospital did not publicly provide a detailed assessment of his vision following the procedure.
Understanding Imran Khan’s Eye Condition
Khan has received treatment for right central retinal vein occlusion, an eye condition that became publicly known in late January 2026. Central retinal vein occlusion occurs when a blockage affects the main vein responsible for draining blood from the retina. The condition can interfere with normal blood circulation inside the eye and may cause swelling or changes in vision. Doctors sometimes use anti-VEGF injections to reduce abnormal fluid leakage and swelling associated with retinal conditions. These injections deliver medication directly into the eye. Patients may require follow-up examinations and additional treatment depending on how their condition responds. However, the hospital’s latest statement does not establish the extent of Khan’s current visual impairment or whether further injections will be necessary. Only his treating specialists can determine the appropriate medical plan based on clinical examinations.
Previous Hospital Visits Reflect Continuing Treatment
The November visit was not Khan’s first hospital transfer for his eye condition. His previous reported visit to PIMS for the same problem took place in June. Since the condition became publicly known, he has undergone multiple medical assessments. The need for follow-up care is relevant because retinal conditions may require monitoring over time rather than a single procedure. The latest treatment therefore forms part of an ongoing medical process, although officials have not released a complete schedule of future appointments. For patients receiving treatment while in custody, continuity of care depends on coordination between medical professionals, prison authorities and the institutions responsible for arranging hospital access.
Supreme Court Previously Ordered Treatment at Shifa Hospital
The latest hospital visit comes after the Supreme Court issued directions concerning Khan’s medical treatment earlier this year. On August 18, the court directed the government to transfer him to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad. The order followed a report submitted by the Adiala Jail superintendent concerning Khan’s health and the medical arrangements available to him. According to the jail administration, authorities had provided appropriate healthcare facilities and considered the wellbeing of Khan and his wife a priority. However, subsequent developments led to disagreement over whether officials had followed the court’s directions. Instead of taking Khan to Shifa International Hospital, authorities transferred him to PIMS and later returned him to prison. The government attributed that decision to security concerns, while PTI disputed the explanation and accused officials of failing to implement the judicial order. The disagreement remains relevant to the debate over Khan’s access to medical care.
Medical Reports Also Addressed Blood Pressure and Stress
Earlier medical assessments examined concerns extending beyond Khan’s eye condition. An August 1 examination at PIMS recorded complaints involving fluctuating blood pressure, palpitations, headaches and restlessness. Khan reportedly linked some of his stress to limited contact with family members and restricted access to newspapers and television. A medical board examined him again on August 10 after he complained of heaviness in his head and palpitations. The board recommended adjustments to his daily prison routine, including a one-hour walk, relaxation activities and access to reading materials and television. Doctors also recommended more frequent interaction with immediate family members or his spouse as a measure that could help manage anxiety and blood pressure. These recommendations formed part of the earlier medical record. They do not necessarily describe his condition during the November 11 procedure.
PTI Raises Concerns Over Access to Medical Care
Khan has remained imprisoned since August 2023, and his health has become a recurring concern for PTI leaders and supporters. The party has repeatedly called for appropriate treatment and compliance with court directions concerning his medical care. Government and prison officials, meanwhile, have maintained that medical facilities are available to him. These competing positions have made hospital transfers and medical assessments matters of public and political attention. However, determining whether authorities have complied with a particular judicial order requires examining the order itself, subsequent court proceedings and the reasons officials provide for their actions. The latest PIMS visit confirms that Khan received follow-up eye treatment, but it does not independently settle the wider dispute over medical access.
Medical Care in Custody Requires Consistent Oversight
Khan’s treatment also raises broader questions about healthcare arrangements for prisoners. People in custody depend on prison authorities to arrange access to specialists, diagnostic tests and hospital procedures. Unlike patients outside detention, they cannot independently choose when to visit a medical facility. This makes clear medical documentation, timely referrals and continuity of treatment particularly important. Security arrangements may complicate hospital transfers, especially in high-profile cases. Nevertheless, medical decisions should remain guided by clinical requirements and applicable legal obligations. Regular communication between treating doctors and custodial authorities can help prevent interruptions in care. The same principles apply to prisoners regardless of their political position or public profile.
Imran Khan’s Latest Procedure Leaves Follow-Up Questions
The immediate medical update from PIMS was reassuring in one respect: hospital officials reported that Khan remained clinically stable throughout the procedure and experienced no complications requiring continued hospital admission. However, the statement did not provide a detailed prognosis for his eye condition or clarify the next stage of treatment. Further information may be needed to establish whether additional procedures are planned and how authorities intend to arrange specialist follow-up. The earlier Supreme Court directions also remain an important part of the wider discussion about his healthcare arrangements. For now, the confirmed development is that Imran Khan received another eye injection at PIMS and returned to custody after doctors discharged him. The longer-term questions concern continued specialist care, medical monitoring and adherence to the legal requirements governing his treatment.
