Islamabad, Pakistan – Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s lawyer announced that the latter has lost about 85% of the sight in his right eye while in prison.
This sparked a limited wave of protests from his supporters in several Pakistani cities, most notably Karachi.
Protests in solidarity with Khan
Small demonstrations in solidarity with Khan took place in Pakistani cities,
with about 100 protesters chanting anti-government slogans in Karachi.
They are demanding that he be allowed access to his personal physicians to receive the necessary medical care.
MP Salina Khan, from Khan’s party, said that the medical committee chosen
by Khan should be able to monitor his condition. She added this should be done without restrictions.
Imran… and the medical procedures taken
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fadl said that the authorities had not received notification about the eye problem until a month ago.
Khan was confirmed to have been taken to the hospital for surgery on January 24.
A medical report submitted to the Supreme Court on February 6 showed that Khan was suffering
from a blockage in the central retinal vein. The report indicated this was in his right eye.
He underwent a 20-minute operation with the approval of the medical institute.
legal and political situation
Khan, 73, is serving a 14-year prison sentence for corruption in one of dozens of cases.
Which he says is aimed at removing him from the political arena, something the Pakistani army denies.
The Supreme Court set February 16 as the deadline for allowing him to see his personal physician.
This was in order to prepare a comprehensive report on his condition.
Demands of the Justice Movement Party
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has made it clear that it is demanding unlimited access to specialists of its choosing.
These specialists would provide medical care.
This comes amid an ongoing crackdown against the party since Khan’s arrest in May 2023.
That arrest sparked widespread protests across the country.
