# Bushra Bibi Petitions Islamabad High Court for Urgent Eye Treatment

Former first lady seeks private medical care citing severe vision impairment in prison.

- **Source:** [Dawn](https://www.dawn.com)
- **Published:** 2026-11-07
- **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics)
- **Original article:** <https://www.dawn.com/news/2042815/bushra-bibi-approaches-ihc-over-worsening-eyesight-seeks-treatment-from-doctors-of-her-choice>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/19d2ab4c-f121-43f2-b270-a0348717f0e7

## Legal Request for Care

Bushra Bibi, wife of PTI founder Imran Khan, has formally approached the Islamabad High Court seeking urgent medical intervention. Currently serving a seven-year sentence in the £190 million corruption case, she requests permission to consult personal ophthalmologists at her own expense. The petition highlights growing concerns regarding her rapidly declining vision while incarcerated.

## Documented Prison Health Concerns

Barrister Salman Safdar submitted an affidavit detailing a November 2 meeting at Adiala jail. During this forty-minute session, Bushra Bibi removed her dark-tinted glasses, revealing a distressing condition. She reported an inability to tolerate sunlight or artificial light, indicating that her vision has been severely impaired since her previous eye surgery in April.

## Mature Cataract Diagnosis Details

According to the former first lady, medical professionals have diagnosed her condition as a mature cataract. She was advised that a follow-up surgical procedure would be necessary around November 15. The current legal application seeks a comprehensive medical report from jail authorities to clarify her diagnosis and ensure all relevant records are provided.

## Dissatisfaction With Prison Standards

Bushra Bibi has expressed significant dissatisfaction regarding the hygiene standards maintained within Adiala jail. She claims the current medical treatment provided by prison authorities is inadequate for her specific health needs. Consequently, she is demanding that the court mandate an examination by doctors of her own choosing to ensure her condition stabilizes.

## Context of Legal Sentences

The medical petition is linked to pending appeals in the £190 million corruption case. Additionally, Bushra Bibi was sentenced to 17 years in the Toshakhana-2 case in December 2025. This case centers on the alleged improper purchase of a luxury jewellery set gifted by the Saudi crown prince during a May 2021 visit.

## Judicial Intervention Requirements

The application urges the Islamabad High Court to direct jail authorities to facilitate immediate specialist attention. The legal team argues that any further delay in treatment could lead to permanent damage to her eyesight. The court is expected to review the request for a fresh medical report to assess the urgency of the situation.

## Impact on PTI Leadership

Imran Khan, who remains imprisoned, has reportedly shown visible concern regarding his wife's health deterioration. The legal team is leveraging these medical claims to highlight the conditions faced by high-profile detainees. This development adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal battles surrounding the former prime minister and his spouse's incarceration.

## Future Medical Oversight

The court's decision will determine whether Bushra Bibi receives care from private physicians or continues under the current prison medical framework. Observers are monitoring the case to see if the judiciary grants the request for independent medical oversight. This outcome may set a precedent for how medical facilities are managed for high-profile inmates.

## Sources covering this story

- https://www.dawn.com/news/2042815/bushra-bibi-approaches-ihc-over-worsening-eyesight-seeks-treatment-from-doctors-of-her-choice — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._
