The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) said on Monday that former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was administered a third dose of an anti-VEGF intra-vitreal injection.

According to a press release issued by the hospital, Imran Khan was examined by ophthalmologists prior to the procedure and was found to be “vitally stable”.

The hospital said the injection was administered “under guidance of microscopy by the surgeons," after his informed consent was obtained.

It added that the procedure was carried out under standard monitoring in an operating theatre with all precautionary measures and protocols in place. The treatment was performed as day-care surgery, and the patient remained stable before, during and after the procedure. He was discharged with instructions for follow-up care.

Imran Khan was first taken to hospital in late January for an eye procedure. Five days later, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said that doctors at PIMS had conducted another examination and, after obtaining written consent, performed a short medical procedure lasting around 20 minutes.

In March, another check-up was conducted at Adiala Jail, after which PIMS stated that Imran Khan had shown improvement in his vision following a second dose of anti-VEGF injection.

Reacting to the latest statement, PTI raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the transfer to PIMS. 

In a post on X, the party questioned the timing of the early morning press release regarding his transfer from Adiala Jail for the procedure. PTI also questioned why his personal physicians were not being allowed access and why his family had not been permitted to meet him, seeking clarity over what it described as a lack of transparency.

Imran Khan has been in custody since August 2023, serving a sentence at Adiala Jail in the £190 million corruption case. He also faces pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to the May 9, 2023 protests.

The PTI has intensified calls for his release after a medical report submitted to the Supreme Court stated that his vision in the right eye had dropped to 15 percent. Government officials maintain that he is receiving appropriate medical care.

Last month, a medical board that examined him reported improvement in his eyesight and did not recommend hospital transfer. According to the report, his right eye vision improved from 6/36 to 6/9, while the left eye remains at 6/6 with glasses.