From ‘Fake News’ to Fact: Government Spokesperson Huzaifa Rehman Denies, Minister Attaullah Tarar Confirms Imran Khan’s PIMS Treatment

Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan and founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has been at the center of a mounting health controversy while incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. Reports of a serious eye condition have sparked widespread alarm among his supporters, family, and political allies, who accuse the government of initially denying adequate medical care before eventually allowing a secretive procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital in Islamabad. This development highlights ongoing tensions between Khan’s opposition party and the ruling administration, raising questions about transparency, human rights, and the treatment of political prisoners in Pakistan.

The Emergence of Khan’s Eye Problems

Khan’s health issues came to light in late January 2026, when PTI officials revealed that the 73-year-old leader had been diagnosed with Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO), a blockage in the retinal vein of his right eye. This condition, if left untreated or improperly managed, carries a high risk of permanent vision loss, including potential blindness in the affected eye. PTI spokespersons, including Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that Khan required immediate specialist intervention at a hospital of his choice.

According to PTI, Khan began experiencing blurred vision and discomfort, prompting demands for medical access. However, party leaders alleged that jail authorities and the government were obstructing proper treatment, insisting that any care be provided within the prison walls rather than transferring him to an external facility. This stance fueled accusations of deliberate neglect, with PTI warning that any permanent damage to Khan’s eyesight would make the government and Adiala Jail administration directly responsible. Khan’s sister, Noreen Niazi, and his son, Kasim Khan, publicly expressed fears on social media, highlighting the family’s exclusion from updates on his condition.

The initial reports of Imran Khan’s eye condition and his transfer to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for treatment faced early pushback from government circles, including a denial by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Huzaifa Rehman who serves as a spokesperson in the orbit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on a private TV channel, where he labeled claims of the PTI founder being shifted to PIMS as “fake” and without truth. This stance aligned with broader government efforts to downplay the severity of Khan’s health concerns.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed the move on January 29, 2026, stating that eye specialists had recommended the transfer after an initial jail examination. Khan underwent a 20-minute procedure with his written consent, and was returned to Adiala Jail shortly after, with instructions for follow-up care. Tarar insisted the intervention was routine, that Khan’s vitals were stable, and that he was “absolutely healthy.” However, the circumstances surrounding the visit have drawn sharp criticism. PTI claimed Khan was taken “under the cover of night” without notifying his family, lawyers, or party representatives, and was held at the hospital for nearly three hours in an “atmosphere of extreme mystery.”

The party continues to demand unrestricted family meetings, access to personal physicians, and a full disclosure of medical records. International observers, including human rights groups, have been urged to monitor the situation, though no formal interventions have been reported yet.

As Pakistan grapples with political instability, Khan’s health remains a flashpoint. Whether this episode marks a turning point in his treatment or escalates tensions further will depend on the government’s willingness to address PTI’s grievances transparently.