'We do not accept govt's version of events,' says Aleema after Imran taken to hospital for 5th time for eye ailment

PTI founder Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, said on Tuesday that the government’s version of events was unacceptable after the former premier was taken to the hospital for the fifth time for the treatment of his eye ailment.

In a post on X, Aleema said, “We have received reports that Imran Khan was again taken to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in the early hours of 15 June. We found out through a tweet by Barrister Gohar on the morning of June 15.”

“We reject any medical report generated by Pims regarding Imran’s condition. The same institution has previously made questionable claims, including the assertion that Imran had recovered 90 per cent of his eyesight. Imran himself rejected these claims when his lawyer later met him at Adiala jail,” she said.

“A fundamental question remains unanswered: Why does Imran require a fifth injection?” she asked.

“We do not accept the government’s version of events. We demand that Imran be examined and treated by independent, qualified specialists at Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad. This is an urgent and immediate priority,” she said.

She recalled that a court order had permitted six family members to meet Imran every Tuesday; however, she contended that authorities had violated the order over the past eight months.

“My sister, Dr Uzma Khan, has only been allowed to meet him a few times, and her last meeting took place on December 2, 2025,” she said.

“We reject the government’s continued use of isolation and deprivation as tools of pressure against Imran. Today, we expect all six family members to be allowed to meet him in accordance with the court’s order,” she said.

“The denial of Imran’s rights is not merely a political issue; it is a clear violation of both the jail manual and high court orders,” she said.

Aleema said that according to the jail manual, Imran was entitled to a weekly telephone call with his sons; a weekly meeting with family members; a weekly meeting with his legal counsel; access to books and reading material; access to television and newspapers; access to proper medical treatment and regular medical check-ups; and his immediate family members being notified before any medical procedure.

She went on to say that court orders stipulated that he be allowed to speak with his sons on the phone and that lawyers, family members and party representatives can meet him on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“We demand the immediate restoration of all of Imran’s lawful rights as a prisoner, with access to independent and professional medical treatment in the presence of family as the highest and most urgent priority,” Aleema said.

On Monday, Imran was brought to Pims for a follow-up eye treatment, which included the administration of a fifth anti-VEGF intravitreal injection to him. According to the hospital, he was examined by the ophthalmologists and was found to be clinically stable.

Imran last underwent the anti-VEGF intravitreal injection on April 28.

His eye ailment — right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) — came to light in late January. His first medical procedure was carried out on January 24, followed by a second dose on February 24 and a third dose on March 23.

Over the past few months, the government and the opposition have been engaged in a blame game, with the latter accusing the former of a lack of transparency in not ensuring appropriate treatment for Imran, and not allowing his personal physicians access to him. The government denies these allegations.

The opposition has also demanded that the former premier be shifted to Shifa International Hospital, be treated in the presence of his personal physicians and allowed to meet his family. ...