Former Pak prime minister Imran Khan‘s son Kasim Khan on Thursday alleged that his father had been kept in solitary confinement “in a death cell with zero transparency.” He said that when his sisters tried to visit him in jail, they weren’t allowed to meet him, despite having clear orders from the court.
“There have been no phone calls, no meetings and no proof of life. Me and my brother have had no contact with our father,” he said.
‘Absolute blackout is not a security protocol,’ says Kasim Khan
In a post on X, Kasim alleged that it was a “deliberate attempt” to hide Imran Khan’s current condition and that this blackout on him “is not a security protocol.”
Imran Khan is in jail after several convictions that his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, says are driven by politics. His sons, Kasim and Sulaiman, grew up in the UK with their mother, Jemima Goldsmith, and usually stay away from commenting on politics in Pakistan. For more than a month, the Pakistani government has effectively stopped his family from visiting him.
‘Pakistani government and its handlers will be held fully accountable’
Kasim stated that the Pakistani government and “its handlers” would be accountable for his father’s safety in every way – “legally, morally and internationally”.
He also appealed to international organisations to step in. He urged the global community, human rights groups and democratic voices to act quickly, ask for proof that his father is safe, enforce court-ordered visitation rights, end the isolation, and also push for the release of Pakistan’s most popular political leader, who he says is being detained only for political reasons.
‘His health is fine and taken care of,’ says Pak PM advisor, PTI senator echoes similar views
Rana Sanaullah, the Pakistan PM’s adviser on political affairs, and senior PTI leaders have dismissed rumours about Imran Khan’s health, saying he is doing fine. They told Dawn that there was no issue with his condition, as per news agency PTI.
But the party again asked for permission to meet their jailed founder, saying the leadership was becoming more anxious because he had not been allowed to meet his family or lawyers for more than three weeks.
Family members and party supporters have held protests outside Adiala Jail, demanding they be allowed to see him. A PTI team visited the prison again today, but officials once more refused access.
Speculation on social media grew after reports claimed the 73-year-old might be shifted to a high-security facility, which would limit his contact even further. The topic gained huge traction online, with “Where is Imran Khan?” trending on X. The interior ministry did not comment.
Speaking on ARY News, the prime minister’s adviser said the worry was unnecessary. He said Imran’s health was being monitored daily by doctors who also look after his medicines, diet and exercise. He added that Imran was receiving all the facilities he was entitled to and denied talk of any transfer, saying he was still in Adiala Jail. He also said any move would require the court’s approval.
PTI Senator Ali Zafar shared a similar view during a DawnNewsTV programme, saying the rumours were false but adding that the government must allow a meeting so the party can see Imran themselves. He said only after a meeting could PTI assure everyone that Imran was fine. Zafar told Dawn that the party had raised the matter in the Senate and urged Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary to help arrange a meeting, saying it had now been a month without one.
