Azam Nazeer Tarar on Monday sought to dispel concerns regarding PTI founder Imran Khan’s reported vision loss, saying there was “nothing as such to worry about”.
His remarks came days after the Supreme Court of Pakistan was informed that the former premier had only 15 per cent vision remaining in his right eye. The court subsequently ordered that a medical team examine him before February 16.
A five-member team of doctors visited Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail on Sunday, where Imran is incarcerated, and conducted a detailed eye examination, collected blood samples and checked his blood pressure. However, the PTI rejected the check-up, saying it was carried out without the presence of his family or personal physicians.
Speaking at the Bar Association in Ferozewala, Shahdara, Tarar said he had reviewed the latest medical report after consulting Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan and other relevant officials.
“Thanks to God, the examination was conducted again on the Supreme Court’s orders, and there is no such thing about 35 or 25 per cent vision,” he said. According to Tarar, if Imran uses glasses, one eye is approximately 70 per cent functional while the other has 6/6 vision — considered normal visual clarity.
Before addressing the medical issue, the minister emphasised the need to focus on broader national challenges. He said difficult economic decisions taken by the government were beginning to yield results and that Pakistan’s economy was now performing better. He stressed that political stability was essential for sustained economic recovery.
Referring to protests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Tarar criticised the PTI-led provincial government for blocking major highways and entry points, arguing that such actions violated constitutional guarantees of free movement. He expressed hope that the party would reconsider its stance in light of the medical report, warning that the federal government could intervene if necessary.
Meanwhile, Imran’s long-time physician, Dr Aasim Yusuf, released a video statement saying he had spoken to the Islamabad-based eye specialists treating the former premier. He added that Lahore-based retinal expert Dr Khurram Azam Mirza also joined the 40-minute call, during which doctors shared details of the diagnosis, treatment and future plan.
Dr Yusuf said the treating physicians believed Imran’s condition had improved significantly. However, he noted that he could neither confirm nor deny the assessment because he had not personally examined him. He appealed to authorities to allow him, Dr Faisal Sultan, and doctors nominated by Imran’s family to evaluate the PTI founder directly. He also suggested that treatment be conducted at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad.
Imran had earlier undergone a medical procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) on January 24. A report later submitted to the Supreme Court by Advocate Salman Safdar quoted him as saying his right eye vision had dropped to 15 per cent despite treatment.
A medical report dated February 6 and signed by Pims Executive Director Prof Dr Rana Imran Sikander stated that an ophthalmologist diagnosed him with right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), after which he received treatment at the hospital.
Imran’s family and the PTI continue to demand that he be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for a comprehensive examination, with opposition lawmakers staging a sit-in at Parliament House to press for the move.