Imran Khan's Sons Seek Pakistan Return Amid Health Fears
Imran Khan's sons, Kasim and Sulaiman, are deeply concerned about their father's deteriorating health in Pakistan's Adiala Jail, especially after he reportedly suffered significant vision loss due to Central Retinal Vein Occlusion. They have applied for visas to visit him, citing over two years apart and expressing uncertainty about official medical reports regarding his treatment and recovery.
Key Highlights
- Imran Khan's sons express deep concern over his health in Adiala Jail.
- Ex-PM diagnosed with Central Retinal Vein Occlusion, causing significant vision loss.
- Sons Kasim and Sulaiman applied for visas to visit but await approval.
- They last saw their father in November 2022, nearly two years ago.
- Sons doubt official medical reports, demand access to private doctors.
- Imran Khan claims delayed treatment for his eye condition in jail.
The sons of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, Kasim and Sulaiman Khan, have voiced profound concerns regarding their father's health while he is incarcerated in Adiala Jail, Pakistan. They are actively seeking permission to return to Pakistan to meet him, having applied for visas in January but are yet to receive a response.
The primary cause for their alarm stems from reports of Imran Khan suffering from Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) in his right eye, leading to a significant loss of vision. Initial reports from his lawyer, Salman Safdar, to the Supreme Court indicated an 85% vision loss, leaving him with only 15% vision in the affected eye. Khan himself reportedly complained of blurred and hazy vision since October 2025, alleging that jail authorities did not take timely action. This condition, CRVO, involves a blockage in the central vein draining blood from the retina, which can lead to rapid vision impairment if not addressed promptly and is often linked to underlying systemic issues like hypertension.
Pakistani authorities have acknowledged Khan's health issue, stating that he underwent a procedure for CRVO on January 24, 2026, at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad. More recent medical reports submitted to the Supreme Court by a government-appointed team on February 16, 2026, claim an improvement in his vision and a reduction in retinal swelling from 550 to 350 units after treatment. The report indicated that his right eye vision, without corrective lenses, measures 6/24, improving to 6/9 with glasses, while his left eye remains 6/6 with corrective glasses.
However, Kasim and Sulaiman Khan, who are based in London, have expressed uncertainty and skepticism about these official medical reports. They spoke to their father via phone on February 12, 2026, for the first time since September, during which he reportedly expressed frustration over being denied eye treatment for several months. His sons advocate for his transfer to a proper medical facility with access to his private doctors, echoing concerns raised by Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which has rejected the government-led examinations as 'malicious' due to the absence of family and personal physicians.
Imran Khan, 73, has been jailed since August 2023 following convictions he and his PTI party vehemently describe as politically motivated. Since his ouster from power in a 2022 no-confidence vote, he has faced numerous legal cases, including those related to state gifts and an unlawful marriage. While some convictions have been suspended or overturned, appeals are pending, and he denies any wrongdoing. His sons have not seen him since November 2022, following an assassination attempt he survived, highlighting the long separation and the urgency of their visit request.
Sulaiman Khan speculated that the delay in granting visas might be due to the 'establishment' being worried that their visit could draw more attention to their father's situation. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has played a role in these developments, ordering medical examinations and directing authorities to allow Khan phone contact with his sons. The deteriorating health of Imran Khan and the perceived lack of adequate medical care have also triggered protests by opposition alliances, including PTI, demanding his transfer to a specialized hospital like Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad.
This ongoing situation underscores significant concerns about human rights, fair trial processes, and the rule of law in Pakistan, as highlighted by Khan's sons and his party. The international community and human rights organizations have also been urged to monitor Khan's detention conditions, especially given previous claims by his sons of him being held in 'death cell' conditions and subjected to 'psychological torture' in December 2025. The case remains a high-profile political and humanitarian issue both domestically and internationally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Imran Khan's current health condition?
Imran Khan has been diagnosed with Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) in his right eye, which initially led to significant vision loss. While official medical reports claim improvement after treatment, his sons remain concerned and skeptical about the extent of his recovery.
Why are Imran Khan's sons seeking to visit him in Pakistan?
Kasim and Sulaiman Khan are concerned about their father's deteriorating health and the conditions of his imprisonment. They wish to visit him as they haven't seen him since November 2022 and have expressed uncertainty regarding the official medical updates on his eye condition.
When was Imran Khan jailed and for what reasons?
Imran Khan has been jailed since August 2023 following multiple convictions, including corruption charges, which he and his party, PTI, claim are politically motivated.
Have Imran Khan's sons been granted visas to visit him?
As of mid-February 2026, Kasim and Sulaiman Khan had applied for visas to visit Pakistan but had not yet received a response from the authorities.
What is Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO)?
Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) is a serious eye condition where a blockage occurs in the central vein draining blood from the retina. This can lead to retinal damage, swelling, bleeding, and rapid vision impairment, often linked to underlying systemic issues like high blood pressure.