“Only 15% Vision Remains”: Imran Khan’s Son Sounds Alarm Over Former PM’s Health in Pakistani Jail
By: Javid Amin | 12 February 2026
A Nation Watching a Leader’s Health Deteriorate
In a dramatic, widely shared social-media declaration on February 12, 2026, Kasim Khan, the son of Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, announced that medical reports now show his father has only about 15% vision remaining in his right eye. The statement, made on the platform X and echoed by international outlets, alleges that the severe loss of eyesight is directly linked to prolonged solitary confinement, medical neglect and denial of adequate treatment while Khan has been incarcerated at Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi.
The development instantly reignited intense debate in Pakistan and internationally—not only about Khan’s personal health but about broader concerns over human rights conditions, justice system manipulation and political persecution.
This article offers an in-depth, ground-verified account of how a towering political figure’s health became a global issue, the medical and legal facts at play, the state’s response, and the wider implications for Pakistani democracy.
From Cricket Icon to Political Prisoner: Context of Imran Khan’s Incarceration
To fully grasp the significance of the current health alarm, one must trace Imran Khan’s path from national hero to imprisoned politician.
Khan’s Rise and Fall
Imran Khan, 73, a former cricket champion who led Pakistan to its first cricket World Cup in 1992, entered politics in the late 1990s. He founded the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, campaigning for anti-corruption reform and a “New Pakistan.” His rise culminated in becoming prime minister in 2018, following a tightly contested general election that changed Pakistan’s political landscape.
However, in April 2022, amid political turmoil and falling support within his own coalition, Khan was ousted via a parliamentary no-confidence vote. His removal was immediately framed by him and many supporters as an establishment-driven conspiracy to sideline him. Over the next three years, Khan was arrested on multiple charges ranging from corruption to misuse of authority, with his most recent conviction related to the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case, leading to a prison sentence and his transfer to Adiala Jail.
Solitary Confinement in Adiala Jail
Khan has reportedly spent 922 days in solitary confinement inside Adiala Jail—a period exceeding two and a half years. These prolonged conditions have become central to his family and supporters’ criticism that his detention goes beyond routine imprisonment and amounts to systematic punishment and isolation.
It is against this backdrop that recent revelations about his health, particularly the vision loss, have been thrust into the spotlight.
The Medical Crisis: Vision Loss, Diagnosis and Treatment
Allegations of Medical Neglect
According to Kasim Khan’s statement, his father “has lost most of the vision in his right eye, with reports indicating only 15% eyesight remains.” The son attributes this not to natural ageing or isolated illness, but to sustained medical neglect during his father’s incarceration, including denial of basic tests such as blood work and delayed treatment.
Critics argue that this points to a failure not just of medical oversight but of custodial responsibility—raising human rights concerns under both Pakistani and international standards.
Court-Appointed Report Details Vision Loss
The Supreme Court of Pakistan intervened after Khan’s legal team and family raised alarms about his health and living conditions. The court appointed Advocate Salman Safdar as amicus curiae (friend of the court) to independently assess Khan’s condition and submit a report.
Safdar’s seven-page written submission to the Supreme Court includes crucial medical testimony from Khan himself. It reveals:
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Until October 2025, Khan reportedly had “normal 6 x 6 vision in both eyes.”
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Following this, he began experiencing persistent blurry and hazy vision in one eye, which he says he repeatedly reported to jail medical staff.
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According to the report, no meaningful action was taken, and his condition worsened until an examination by an eye specialist from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital in Islamabad.
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The diagnosis was “central retinal vein occlusion”, a serious condition caused by a blood clot affecting blood flow in the retina—which can lead to rapid and irreversible vision loss if not treated promptly.
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Even after limited treatment—including an injection—Khan was left with only about 15% functional vision in his right eye.
During their meeting, Safdar observed that Khan appeared visibly distressed and troubled by both his physical condition and the lack of timely specialist care.
Diagnosis: Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO)
Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) is a recognized ophthalmological emergency. It occurs when the main retinal vein becomes blocked, often by a blood clot, disrupting normal blood drainage from the retina. If treated at the appropriate time—including procedures like intravitreal injections and close medical follow-up—some vision can sometimes be saved or stabilized. However, delays in recognition and treatment can result in severe and permanent visual impairment. Medical specialists commonly stress the importance of rapid response for best outcomes.
Whether the care provided met international medical standards—and whether earlier intervention could have prevented the substantial vision loss—remains at the heart of current controversy.
Political Responsibility and the State’s Response
From the moment Kasim Khan posted his emotional statement, political reactions across Pakistan have been sharp, polarized and laden with broader implications.
Family’s Accusations: A Politically Motivated Neglect?
In his post, Kasim stated that the decline in his father’s health was a “direct consequence of 922 days of solitary confinement, medical neglect (denied blood tests) and deliberate denial of proper treatment.” He explicitly held accountable “the regime in power, the Army Chief and the puppets enabling this cruelty,” alleging manipulation of the justice system to keep Khan under harsh conditions.
Moreover, he claimed that he and his brother have been denied visas to visit their father as his condition worsens, emphasizing that even basic contact has been restricted.
The sons urged international human rights bodies, legal institutions and democratic governments to confront what they describe as persecution and ensure accountability for those responsible.
Government’s Official Position
The government of Pakistan, through Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, has responded to these allegations in official statements. Tarar acknowledged that “detailed” medical reports had been shared with Khan’s family, and earlier affirmed that Khan underwent a medical procedure for an eye ailment at a hospital and was “in good health.”
While the government maintains that appropriate medical care has been provided, critics argue that the timing, transparency and independence of that care have been insufficient.
Judicial Intervention
In response to the Supreme Court’s review of the amicus curiae report, a medical team was officially ordered to examine Imran Khan’s eye condition before February 16, 2026, as part of ensuring proper, independent medical appraisal. Additionally, the court directed that Khan be allowed to make telephone contact with his sons—something that had previously been highly restricted.
These judicial orders highlight rising institutional concern over the conditions of Khan’s detention and the need for transparency and humanitarian treatment in line with legal protections afforded to prisoners.
Solitary Confinement: Psychological and Physical Toll
Beyond the specific medical crisis, Imran Khan’s broader prison conditions—particularly prolonged solitary confinement—have sparked intense debate.
What Is Solitary Confinement?
Solitary confinement typically involves isolating a prisoner from the general population for 22–24 hours a day, often in limited space and with minimal human contact. Psychologists and human rights organizations around the world recognize that prolonged solitary confinement can have profound psychological and physical effects, including anxiety, depression, perceptual distortions, and cognitive impairment.
Independent assessments, including those by UN mechanisms such as the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, have previously concluded that Khan’s detention lacks legal basis and may be politically motivated, reinforcing concerns about the conditions he faces.
Khan’s Reported Daily Life in Adiala Jail
Safdar’s assessment and other reports describe Khan’s routine at Adiala Jail: morning exercise, limited access to family contact, structured meals, but restricted communication and placement in a designated isolated cell area. Although he reportedly has space for sunlight, exercise and some books, the lack of meaningful social interaction and limited access to legal counsel have been repeatedly criticized.
Physical and Mental Health Consequences
While the physical symptom now most visible is vision loss, human rights advocates warn that long-term confinement in isolation—especially without consistent specialist care—can escalate both neurological and psychological harm. Vision loss, untreated health conditions and lack of social interaction can compound each other, with knock-on effects for overall well-being.
Human Rights, International Reaction and Global Watchdogs
Human Rights Concerns
Imran Khan’s health situation has raised significant questions among international observers regarding custodial treatment standards in Pakistan. The allegations of delayed medical care and restricted access to family and legal counsel resonate with global human rights norms that emphasize the humane treatment of detainees, irrespective of the crimes alleged or convictions secured.
International human rights bodies typically stress that authorities must ensure prisoners receive timely, specialized medical care, maintain contact with family and legal counsel, and be protected from conditions that amount to inhumane or degrading treatment.
International Political Dimensions
Khan’s case has been widely watched by global media, foreign diplomatic circles, and rights groups. Many democratic nations monitor such developments as part of broader concerns about governance, rule of law, and political freedoms in Pakistan. Some analysts argue that the situation risks impacting Pakistan’s international reputation, foreign aid partnerships, and diplomatic engagements.
Moreover, Pakistan’s political opposition and diaspora communities have mobilized advocacy campaigns calling for Khan’s right to proper care, independent oversight and humanitarian treatment—a dynamic that continues to shape public discourse.
Implications for Pakistan’s Politics and Future Landscape
PTI and Political Rallying Cry
The news of Khan’s deteriorating health has energized his supporters and party cadres, who frame the episode as yet another chapter in what they describe as systemic targeting of PTI leadership and dissenters. They argue that the treatment of Khan reflects an effort to incapacitate a key political figure ahead of future electoral cycles.
Government and Establishment Position
Government authorities reject allegations of medically negligent treatment or rights violations, maintaining that custodial care has been in line with legal norms and that necessary procedures were provided. However, they also face pressure from courts to allow independent medical examinations and improved family contact.
Judicial Role as Arbiter
Pakistan’s Supreme Court has played a pivotal role in supervising the review of Khan’s health condition and detention conditions. Its directives for independent medical assessment and contact with family signal an assertive judicial check on both executive and custodial authorities.
Conclusion: A Leader’s Health and a Nation’s Crossroads
The case of Imran Khan’s reported vision loss and alleged medical neglect in prison is more than a singular health story—it is a flashpoint in a broader national debate about justice, human rights, the rule of law, and political power in Pakistan.
With judicial scrutiny increasing, international attention mounting, and political tensions simmering, the treatment and protection of Khan’s health remain central to ongoing discussions about Pakistan’s democratic trajectory and institutional integrity.
As the world watches, one central question persists: Will Pakistan ensure humane, transparent, and lawful treatment for one of its most prominent political figures, irrespective of the politics involved?
