• PTI leader brought to Pims with his consent, says hospital authorities.
• Anti-VEGF injection administered as part of eye care treatment: Hospital.
• Procedure carried out under strict medical protocols at op theatre: Pims.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has undergone a third eye procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), where doctors declared his vision satisfactory following a detailed examination, hospital authorities said on Monday.

The former premier was brought to the hospital with his consent, where he was administered a third anti-VEGF injection as part of his ongoing treatment, according to a statement issued by the hospital administration.

The procedure was carried out at an operation theatre under strict medical protocols and precautionary measures, it noted. 

A medical board assessed his condition after the procedure and expressed satisfaction with his eyesight, the hospital said. Officials stressed that the PTI leader remained stable throughout and was discharged shortly after the treatment.

Monday’s procedure marks the latest phase in his eye care. He was earlier shifted to the hospital from Adiala jail on February 24, when he received the second dose following a comprehensive examination. 

At the time, cardiology tests, including echocardiography and an electrocardiogram, had shown his normal results, and he was declared medically stable, according to an earlier statement.

On March 18, his medical check-up was completed by a newly formed board comprising five doctors and staffers at Adiala jail following instructions from the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

Earlier this month, the IHC directed the capital city’s chief commissioner to constitute a medical board to assess his health condition, while rejecting a petition seeking his transfer to a private hospital.

The jailed PTI founder was diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a serious eye condition, according to a report submitted to the Supreme Court by his lawyer and the court’s amicus curiae, Salman Safdar.

The condition occurs when the main vein draining blood from the retina becomes blocked and is often associated with cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease.

Sources said that the medical team, comprising five doctors and supporting medical staff, completed a thorough two-hour assessment during which they examined the PTI founder’s affected eye.

The team includes ENT specialist Professor Altaf Hussain, cardiologist Professor Akhtar Ali Bandesha, Dr Muhammad Ali Arif, and Professor Nadeem Qureshi from Al-Shifa Eye Hospital.

SC report

The PTI founder’s health emerged as the latest point of contention between the government and the opposition comprising PTI and the TTAP alliance after a report, submitted to the Supreme Court by his lawyer and SC’s amicus curiae Barrister Salman Safdar.

The report revealed that the PTI founder was diagnosed with a serious eye condition known as central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).

CRVO is a disorder that commonly affects older adults and is linked to underlying cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease.

Furthermore, the report stated that the former premier — who has been in jail since August 2023 — has complained of losing 85% of the vision in his right eye.

Khan, 73, has been jailed since August 2023 after convictions he and his PTI call politically motivated.

Since his 2022 ouster in a no-confidence vote, he has faced multiple cases, including over state gifts and an unlawful marriage.

Some convictions have been suspended or overturned, with appeals pending. He denies wrongdoing.

• WTI crude briefly surpasses $100 per barrel; Brent reached $113.44.
• Prices go beyond Feb 27 levels of $67.02 (WTI) and $72.48 (Brent).
• After Trump warning, Iran threatens to blow up energy sites of US, allies.

TOKYO: Oil prices rose early Monday after US President Donald Trump gave Iran a 48-hour ultimatum to open the Strait of Hormuz or face decimation of its energy infrastructure, and Israel warned the war would continue for several more weeks.

Shortly after the 2200 GMT open, the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US benchmark crude, for May delivery was up 1.8 percent to just over $100 per barrel, before retreating slightly.

The price of North Sea Brent crude for May delivery rose at a similar rate, to $113.44 per barrel before sliding to around $111 some 45 minutes into trading.

On February 27, the day before the US-Israeli attacks began on Iran, they stood at $67.02 and $72.48 per barrel, respectively.

Trump and Tehran have issued tit-for-tat threats as the war entered its fourth week, with the US president demanding the Islamic republic reopen the blocked Strait of Hormuz, through which some 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas shipments transit.

The bottleneck has nearly halted all petroleum shipments through the narrow waterway, and oil prices have spiked.

Trump posted late Saturday on Truth Social that US forces would “hit and obliterate” Iranian power plants – “starting with the biggest one first” – if Tehran did not fully reopen the strait within 48 hours, or 23:44 GMT on Monday, according to the time of his post.

In response, Iran’s army said it will target energy and desalination infrastructure “belonging to the US and the regime in the region,” according to the Fars news agency.

Meanwhile Israel’s military chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, said Sunday his forces were expanding their ground campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, and warned of a lengthy operation.

“We are now preparing to advance the targeted ground operations and strikes according to an organised plan,” he said.

In retaliation for the US and Israeli military operation, Iran is carrying out missile and drone strikes against infrastructure – particularly energy targets – in countries allied with Washington, as well as against ships in the Gulf, specifically threatening those venturing into the strait.

Tom Holland has given his seal of approval to Zendaya’s upcoming film, and he’s not holding back his enthusiasm.

The Spider-Man star took to Instagram ahead of The Drama‘s release to urge his followers to get their tickets, writing: “I honestly couldn’t be more excited for you to see this movie and believe me when I say it’s gonna floor you. Get your tickets now!”

The Drama, directed by Kristoffer Borgli, stars Zendaya and Robert Pattinson as Emma and Charlie, a happily engaged couple whose wedding week is thrown into chaos by an unexpected revelation. 

The film also features Alana Haim, Mamoudou Athie and Hailey Gates, among others. 

It hits cinemas on 3 April.

Holland didn’t walk the red carpet at the film’s Los Angeles premiere, but Zendaya was equally warm when the subject of her partner came up.

Speaking to Deadline, she said she is “so excited” to be reuniting with Holland onscreen in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, due on 23 July. 

“Tom is so talented, and he’s so great. And he cares so much,” she said, adding with a laugh that she acknowledged being “biased.” 

“I think people will not be disappointed.”

It’s a mutual appreciation society that shows no signs of letting up, and with two major releases featuring the pair arriving within months of each other, their fans have plenty to look forward to.