Imran Khan’s physician says report of ‘improvement’ in ex-PM’s eyesight cannot be verified

ISLAMABAD (AP) - A team of doctors treating Imran Khan has reported "improvement" in his eyesight, his personal physician said Monday, but added he could neither confirm nor deny the assessment as Pakistan's authorities have not granted him access to the imprisoned former premier.

Dr. Aasim Yusuf made the remarks in a video message posted on X a day after a panel of eye specialists examined Khan at Adiala prison, in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, following an order from Pakistan's Supreme Court.

Yusuf said prison doctors briefed him by phone Sunday about an "improvement" in Khan's eye condition and the treatment he has received since late January when Khan underwent a procedure at a hospital in Islamabad after complaining of partial vision loss.

Yusuf said he would have been "extremely happy" if he could verify the reported improvement.

"Unfortunately, because I have not seen him myself and have not been able to participate in his care or speak with him, I am unable to either confirm or deny the veracity of what we have been told," he said.

He also called for any further treatment to be carried out at a hospital in Islamabad.

Cabinet minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry wrote on X on Monday that a detailed medical examination of Khan was conducted inside the Adiala prison and the doctors found that the eyesight of Khan had improved and "no major complications have emerged."

Concern about Khan's eyesight surfaced when the government said he had undergone a brief eye procedure. It prompted the Supreme Court to direct Khan's lawyer, Salman Safdar, to meet him in prison.

Safdar later told the court that Khan had lost about 85% of vision in his right eye, alarming supporters in his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, who have staged protests in Islamabad and other cities demanding Khan's transfer to a hospital. Some PTI lawmakers and allies have also held a sit-in outside parliament since last week.

Khan, 73, has been held at prison since 2023 following a conviction in a graft case. He was removed from office in April 2022 through a parliamentary no-confidence vote.

Khan alleges his ouster resulted from a U.S.-backed conspiracy involving political rivals and the military - claims denied by Washington, Pakistan's military and political opponents, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who replaced Khan.

Despite his legal challenges, Khan remains a central political figure with a strong support base.