'He Deserves Better': Ex-US Envoy Hails Court's Medical Order For Imran Khan, Calls For His Release

Last Updated:February 13, 2026, 08:27 IST

Zalmay Khalilzad welcomed Pakistan's top court's order for Imran Khan's medical examination, citing vision loss in his right eye and urging Khan's release from jail.

Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan and Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, on Friday welcomed Pakistan’s Supreme Court’s decision to order the medical examination of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, particularly raising concern about his right eye.

Calling the court’s directive a “positive step," Khalilzad urged that Khan, whom he described as the “country’s most popular political leader and a national hero" — be released from what he termed politically motivated charges. His remarks came a day after the top court, headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, ordered the immediate formation of an independent medical board to evaluate Khan’s health.

“A positive step by Pakistan’s supreme court for ordering that doctors examine Imran Khan’s medical condition, especially his right eye. It is time for Imran Khan, the country’s most popular political leader, a former Prime Minister and a national hero, should be freed from jail where he is kept on trumped-up charges. Imran Khan deserves better! Pakistan deserves better!," Khalilzad wrote in a post on X.

The court directive came on February 12. The court also granted the jailed leader permission to speak with his sons in the United Kingdom.

The development follows a report submitted to the apex court by Advocate Salman Safdar, acting as a “friend of the court," alleging that Khan has suffered irreversible vision loss in his right eye due to prolonged medical neglect during his incarceration at Adiala Jail. According to the seven-page document, Khan had normal 6/6 vision in both eyes until October 2025 but began experiencing persistent blurred vision soon after.

The report claims that for nearly three months, prison authorities failed to arrange a specialist consultation despite repeated complaints. Instead, he was allegedly given basic eye drops that did not improve his condition. The situation reportedly culminated in a sudden and complete loss of sight in his right eye.

An ophthalmologist from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Dr Muhammad Arif, later examined Khan and diagnosed Central Retinal Vein Occlusion — a blood clot in the eye that can cause severe and often permanent damage if not treated promptly. Although an emergency injection was administered in late January 2026, the report states that the vision loss is largely irreversible. Khan has informed the court that he now retains only about 15% vision in the affected eye.

The filing also raises concerns about broader healthcare issues, alleging that the 73-year-old has been denied routine medical attention, including dental care and regular blood tests, during his detention.

News world 'He Deserves Better': Ex-US Envoy Hails Court's Medical Order For Imran Khan, Calls For His Release

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