LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s five senior incarcerated leaders have demanded that the government should afford proper treatment to party founder Imran Khan, who is reportedly suffering from a serious eye infection.

The inmates have also appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to look into the matter personally and ensure that the recommended treatment is given as soon as possible.

“Imran Khan’s eye infection has resulted in central retinal vein occlusion and may produce permanent damage to the eye and loss of vision, if not treated properly,” the five leaders expressed their dismay in a letter shared by their counsel Rana Mudassar here on Wednesday.

The open letter written by Dr Yasmin Rashid on behalf of all five incarcerated leaders including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Ejaz Chaudhry, Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed and Omar Sarfraz Cheema, states that it is extremely distressing to learn about Imran Khan’s eye infection, which has resulted in central retinal vein occlusion. “This condition is extremely serious and if not treated properly, may produce permanent damage to the eye resulting in loss of vision,” the letter reads.

A Shaukat Khanum Hospital’s team wants to take part in his care

The incarcerated leaders say the ‘Form-47 government’ should stop its ‘petty’ behaviour and ensure that he (Imran Khan) is admitted to a hospital of his choice and given proper treatment.

They also stated that it was shameful that the leader of the largest political party in Pakistan, who has been incarcerated for the last two-and-a-half years on ‘fabricated’ cases, was being denied proper treatment. “We appeal to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to look into the matter personally and ensure that the recommended treatment is given at the earliest. The action taken in this case should be visible to the people of Pakistan,” the jailed leaders appealed and also urged the people of Pakistan to pray for Imran Khan’s health and longevity.

It may be mentioned that the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital had on Tuesday issued “an important message” requesting the authorities concerned to allow a team of physicians from Shaukat Khanum Hospital immediate access to Imran Khan to participate in his care.

The message posted on the hospital website says, “A number of reports are in circulation since last night, suggesting that Mr Imran Khan is suffering from a serious eye condition known as central retinal vein occlusion”.

Asserting that various underlying medical conditions may result in this situation, the hospital acknowledges, “Although it is impossible for us to verify this news independently, we are obviously gravely concerned about Mr Imran Khan’s health at this time.”

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2026