The health and whereabouts of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan have become a matter of intense debate in recent weeks. Unverified reports about his death have sparked a furious outcry — with thousands of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf supporters gathering outside Adiala Jail last week. His family has now sought “proof of life” andaccused officials of keeping the ousted leader in a “death cell with zero transparency”. Meanwhile PTI Senator Khurram Zeeshan insisted that Khan was alive but facing pressure to leave the country.
Adiala jail authorities issued a statement on Thursday to reiterate that Khan remained an inmate and denied claims that he had passed away. Officials had reportedly called the rumours “baseless” and insisted that his well-being was being ensured. The rumours had surfaced even as his three sisters (Noreen Niazi, Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan) protested outside the prison with PTI supporters. They had sought a probe after being denied a meeting with Khan for nearly a month and ‘assaulted’ by officials.
‘Show proof of life’
“My father has been under arrest for 845 days. For the past six weeks, he has been kept in solitary confinement in a death cell with zero transparency. His sisters have been denied every visit, even with clear court orders allowing access. There have been no phone calls, no meetings and no proof of life. Me and my brother have had no contact with our father,” his son Kasim Khan said on Friday.
He insisted in a lengthy social media post that the “absolute blackout” imposed against Khan was not due to any security protocol. Kasim claimed that the unofficial ‘ban’ against meetings was a “deliberate attempt to hide his condition and prevent our family from knowing whether he is safe”.
“I call on the international community, global human rights organisations and every democratic voice to intervene urgently. Demand proof of life, enforce court ordered access, end this inhumane isolation and call for the release of Pakistan’s most popular political leader who is being held solely for political reasons,” he added.
‘Imran Khan facing pressure to leave country’
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Senator Khurram Zeeshan offered a counter-point on Saturday — contending that the former Prime Minister was alive and currently lodged in Adiala jail. He claimed that Khan was being kept in isolation as a tactic to pressure him into leaving Pakistan.
“It is very unfortunate. It’s been almost a month of his isolation, and his family, his lawyers, and even the senior leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf have not been allowed to meet him. This is a complete violation of human rights. It seems they are trying to force him into something. In the last few days, we have been given a guarantee we have been assured. He is alive and currently lodged in Adiala jail. He is okay,” he told ANI.
(With inputs from agencies)
