Sons of jailed Pakistani leader Imran Khan fear for his health
Imran Khan’s Children Voice Concerns Over Father’s Wellbeing Behind Bars
Healfromzero.com – Two sons of Pakistan’s imprisoned former prime minister have raised alarms about their father’s health, asserting that officials are systematically blocking their attempts to visit him. Kasim and Sulaiman Isa Khan made their statements on the third anniversary of Imran Khan’s detention, revealing that family members, medical professionals, and legal representatives have been unable to see the former leader for seven consecutive months.
The brothers traveled to the streets alongside thousands of supporters from Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf party, who organized demonstrations throughout Pakistan on Wednesday. These rallies called for the freedom of both the former cricketer-politician and his wife, Bushra Bibi, who faces parallel legal challenges.
A Political Figure Under Siege
Khan governed Pakistan from 2018 until parliamentary proceedings removed him from power in 2022. His imprisonment began following convictions in 2023 on multiple counts, including corruption allegations and the unauthorized disclosure of classified information. Khan and his allies maintain these charges represent political retaliation for his vocal criticism of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s administration.
After his removal from office, Khan organized massive public demonstrations challenging Sharif’s leadership. He alleged that the prime minister orchestrated his political downfall through cooperation with Pakistan’s military establishment and American officials—assertions that both institutions have firmly rejected.
The Sharif government retaliated with sweeping measures against Khan’s political movement, detaining numerous party officials and prohibiting the organization from participating in the 2024 national elections. This electoral exclusion significantly weakened Khan’s political infrastructure at a critical juncture.
Visa Complications and Administrative Barriers
Kasim and Sulaiman addressed CNN correspondents from London, where they have resided since their parents’ marriage to Jemima Goldsmith ended in 2004. From their British base, the brothers have consistently criticized their father’s detention, noting that Pakistani officials increasingly complicate their visits through visa delays and bureaucratic obstacles.
“We’re trying, we’d like to go, but nothing’s coming through,” Kasim explained. “There’s no reason we shouldn’t be accepted for a visa.”
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information countered these assertions, stating that both brothers possess National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis—documentation that theoretically exempts them from visa requirements. The ministry characterized the sons’ complaints as “misleading and appear to convert an administrative process into an issue of political point-scoring.”
However, Kasim and Sulaiman maintain that their identity cards have expired and remain unrenewed, a point the ministry did not specifically address in its response.
Health Status and Human Rights Concerns
Amnesty International released a statement this week urging Pakistani authorities to “unconditionally restore Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Khan’s right to see their family and lawyers.”
The human rights organization emphasized that Khan “must be given access to adequate medical care and their solitary confinement, which is unlawful, should end immediately.”
Pakistan’s government issued a comprehensive statement to CNN rejecting the assertion that Khan experienced a seven-month communications blackout. Officials insisted that “evidence shows repeated and substantial access (to the prisoner),” noting that Khan’s most recent telephone conversation with his son occurred on March 21, 2026.
The government described Khan’s condition as “oriented and stable” without “any acute or unmanaged deterioration,” adding that he “continues to receive treatment, medication and follow-up care in accordance with medical advice, applicable prison rules and court directions.”
Regarding his living arrangements, officials stated that Khan resides in “an exclusive seven-cell compound designed for approximately 30 to 35 prisoners.” The facility contains a 57 by 14 foot corridor, a 35 by 37 foot lawn, and includes essential furnishings such as a bed, mattress, four pillows, blankets, table, chair, sanitation facilities, and exercise equipment. Government representatives argued these conditions “bear no resemblance to the picture of isolation, neglect or punitive deprivation being presented publicly.”
Ongoing Political Tensions
Despite official assurances, human rights organizations remain skeptical. Amnesty International has characterized the widespread detention of Khan’s party members and supporters as “arbitrary.” Kasim highlighted that many detainees “remain detained under anti-terrorism charges while 85 have been convicted by military courts.”
The situation continues to evolve as Khan’s family seeks resolution while political tensions between Khan’s supporters and the current administration persist. The outcome of these developments could significantly influence Pakistan’s democratic trajectory and the future of its most prominent opposition figure.
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