Headlines: Family Alleges ‘Absolute Blackout’ on Former PM’s Condition After Weeks of Isolation
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ISLAMABAD/LONDON – The family of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has sounded a grave alarm over his well-being, with his sons publicly voicing fears that authorities are concealing “something irreversible” about his condition. The concerns come after the family and his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have been allegedly barred from having any direct, verifiable contact with the 72-year-old leader for over three weeks, despite court orders mandating weekly visits.
‘Psychological Torture’ and Demand for Proof of Life
Kasim Khan, one of Imran Khan’s sons who resides in London, issued a poignant public appeal, describing the complete information blackout as a form of “psychological torture.”
“Not knowing whether your father is safe, injured or even alive is a form of psychological torture,” Kasim Khan stated in written remarks to news agencies. “Today we have no verifiable information at all about his condition. Our greatest fear is that something irreversible is being hidden from us.”
Kasim, along with his brother Sulaiman Isa Khan, has maintained a distance from frontline Pakistani politics, making their public intervention particularly impactful. They have had no contact with their father, whom they affectionately call “Abba,” for months. Kasim’s last memory of his father was a visit in November 2022, shortly after Khan survived an assassination attempt.
Allegations of Intentional Isolation
The family asserts that the near-total communication blockage is a deliberate move by authorities to push Khan out of public sight. They point out that requests for Khan’s personal physician to examine him have been denied for over a year.
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Denied Access: Family members, including Khan’s sisters, and PTI party leaders have been repeatedly turned away from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where Khan is incarcerated.
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Court Contempt: The refusal to allow court-ordered visits has been termed a “clear contempt of court” by PTI leaders.
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Death Cell Claims: Kasim Khan previously alleged that his father has been held in solitary confinement in a “death cell with zero transparency” for six weeks.
“This isolation is intentional,” Kasim said, adding that authorities are “scared of him. He is Pakistan’s most popular leader, and they know they cannot defeat him democratically.”
Official Denials Amid Rumours
The heightened anxiety has been further fueled by widespread rumours circulating on social media, including unverified claims regarding the former premier’s death or severe health issues.
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Jail Administration Statement: Officials at Adiala Jail have dismissed the speculation as baseless. A jail official, speaking anonymously, stated that Khan is in “good health” and is receiving all necessary medical attention and facilities.
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Government Stance: The Pakistani government has yet to issue a formal, transparent statement directly addressing the family’s concerns regarding the denial of court-ordered access.
Calls for International Intervention
The Khan family and the PTI are escalating their appeals, urging the global community to intervene in what they are now calling a “human rights emergency.”
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International Appeal: “I call on the international community, global human rights organisations and every democratic voice to intervene urgently,” Kasim Khan urged.
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Accountability Warning: He further warned that the “Pakistani government and its handlers will be held fully accountable — legally, morally and internationally — for my father’s safety and for every consequence of this inhumane isolation.”
Khan, the World Cup-winning cricketer turned politician, has been in jail since August 2023, serving lengthy sentences following multiple convictions, including in the Toshakhana and Al Qadir Trust cases. His party maintains that the string of prosecutions is entirely politically motivated, designed to exclude him from public life following his 2022 ouster.
