Former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan was again taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) for tests and follow-up treatment for his eye condition, a hospital official told Dawn on Wednesday.
asserted
official → take → Wednesday
“Imran Khan was brought from the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi to Pims in Islamabad during the night between Nov 10 and 11 for a medical check-up and follow-up eye treatment on the advice of the ophthalmologist treating him,” the official said.
asserted
official → bring → him
The hospital official added that, prior to the procedure, the former premier underwent a medical examination, including an ocular assessment.
“His vital parameters were found to be normal.
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parameters → add → assessment
After obtaining informed consent and following standard monitoring procedures, precautionary measures and clinical protocols, the ophthalmology team administered an intravitreal anti-VEGF injection,” the official said.
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official → obtain → injection
He added that Imran remained “clinically stable before, during and after the procedure”.
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Imran → add → procedure
The PTI founder was discharged at around 2:30am with the necessary instructions for further care and follow-up, according to the official.
uncertain
founder → discharge → official
The former premier’s last reported hospital visit to Pims for his eye ailment was in June.
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visit → report → June
Imran has been imprisoned since August 2023, and his health has deteriorated over the course of his prison sentence, prompting outcry from members of the party.
asserted
health → imprison → party
His eye ailment — right central retinal vein occlusion — came to light in late January, following which he has been taken to hospital multiple times.
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he → come → hospital
On Aug 18, the Supreme Court directed the government to shift the jailed ex-premier to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, a day after the superintendent of the Adiala jail — where Imran is imprisoned — submitted a report to the SC on the ex-premier’s health condition.
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Imran → direct → condition
In the report, the jail administration said adequate healthcare facilities were being provided to Imran and his wife, with their health and well-being a priority.
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health → say → Imran
However, an annexure to the report stated that Dr Akhtar Ali Bandeshah of Pims examined him on Aug 1 and noted complaints of uncontrolled and fluctuating blood pressure, palpitations, headache and restlessness.
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Bandeshah → state → pressure
The ex-premier had attributed his symptoms and stress partly to infrequent meetings with his wife, family and social contacts, as well as the absence of newspapers and TV.
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premier → attribute → newspapers
On Aug 10, the SC was informed, a medical board comprising Pims specialists also examined Imran after he complained of heaviness in the head and palpitations.
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he → inform → head
It recommended a one-hour daily walk and relaxation in his prison routine, besides access to newspapers, magazines, television and books.
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It → recommend → newspapers
The board also recommended more frequent interaction with immediate family members or his spouse, saying this could help control his anxiety and blood pressure.
uncertain
this → recommend → anxiety
Subsequently, the court ordered his transfer to Shifa International Hospital.
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court → order → Hospital
However, the government took the PTI founder to Pims and subsequently transported him back to prison.
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government → take → prison
At the time, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had blamed “the security situation created by PTI workers on the way to and outside” the hospital for the diversion.
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Tarar → blame → diversion
The PTI has denied the allegations and accused the government of deliberately flouting the court’s orders.
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PTI → deny → orders
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