Islamabad: A wave of concern and uncertainty has swept through Pakistan’s political landscape after the sons of former Prime Minister Imran Khan issued a public appeal expressing grave fears for their father’s safety in prison. More than three weeks have passed without any verified communication from the 72-year-old opposition leader, prompting his family to warn that authorities may be concealing “something irreversible.”
Speaking through a detailed statement, Khan’s son Kasim revealed that the family has not received any independently confirmed contact with the jailed politician for months. Despite a court order allowing weekly meetings, the boys claim that every attempt to visit has been blocked. They further alleged that the government has repeatedly refused their request to allow Imran Khan’s personal physician to examine him a denial that has persisted for more than a year.
Kasim described the situation as “psychological torture,” saying the uncertainty of not knowing whether their father is “safe, injured, or even alive” has become unbearable. The family’s statement emphasized that their demands are grounded in basic human rights rather than political rivalry.
The family’s most alarming assertion is the fear that authorities are deliberately withholding information about Imran Khan’s physical condition. They warned that the lack of updates, absence of visitation rights, and complete isolation raise the possibility that “something irreversible may have happened.” Their appeal called for immediate transparency and verifiable proof of life.
Both sons, who live abroad, have reached out to domestic institutions and international human rights organizations, urging intervention to restore access and ensure the former premier’s safety.
While Pakistan’s Interior Ministry has not issued any formal statement, a jail official speaking on condition of anonymity told Reuters that Imran Khan is in good health and that there are no plans to shift him to a higher-security facility. The government has not addressed why court-ordered visits have not taken place or why no photographs or public appearances have been permitted.
Imran Khan has been incarcerated since August 2023 on a string of convictions, including charges of graft, unlawful sale of state gifts, and leaking confidential diplomatic communications. His supporters claim the cases were fast-tracked to sideline him from national politics.
Human rights groups have previously expressed concerns about the conditions of Khan’s imprisonment, including allegations of solitary confinement and restricted access to legal counsel. The fresh claims by his sons have added to the growing unease, sparking debate over transparency and accountability within Pakistan’s prison system.
The family insists that their concerns transcend politics. They argue that regardless of Imran Khan’s polarising role in public life, he is entitled to protection, due process, and medical access under both Pakistani and international law.
The absence of any credible confirmation of Khan’s condition has intensified anxiety among his supporters and political observers. With his sons demanding “proof of life” and officials offering only anonymous reassurances, the situation has created a worrying climate of distrust.
As calls for transparency grow louder, Pakistan’s leadership faces mounting pressure to provide clarity on one of the most sensitive and politically charged questions now confronting the nation: What is the real condition of Imran Khan behind prison walls?