Former Pakistan prime minister and cricket World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan has spent over two years behind bars, but recent developments have sparked international concern about his wellbeing. For nearly six weeks, no family members, lawyers, or political aides have been permitted to visit the 73-year-old politician in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail.
Family's Growing Alarm Over Missing Contact
The situation reached a critical point on Friday when Imran Khan's son, Kasim Khan, made a public appeal demanding that the Pakistani government provide proof his father is still alive. "We demand proof of Imran Khan's life," Kasim declared in an emotional social media post that quickly went viral.
Kasim revealed disturbing details about his father's incarceration, stating that Khan has been held for 845 days total, with the recent period marked by complete isolation. "For the past six weeks, he has been kept in solitary confinement in a death cell with zero transparency," he explained. Despite clear court orders granting visitation rights, Khan's three sisters and other PTI members have been repeatedly denied access.
Jail Manual Rules Versus Reality
According to Dawn newspaper reports, Pakistan's jail manual theoretically allows prisoners, including those convicted of serious crimes, certain basic rights. The rules stipulate that inmates in Punjab province should receive:
- Meetings with up to five people weekly, including lawyers and relatives
- Thirty minutes of phone time each week
- Even condemned prisoners get weekly family visits
However, these regulations come with significant caveats. Visitation rights are tied to "good behaviour" determinations made by jail superintendents, giving them broad discretionary power. A retired senior prison department officer confirmed that access ultimately depends on the superintendent's assessment of an inmate's conduct.
Political prisoners like Imran Khan face additional restrictions. They are typically placed in special cells under strict security, though daily medical check-ups are supposedly mandatory to ensure their health.
Government Response and International Appeal
While government officials maintain that Imran Khan is receiving all "possible facilities," Information Minister Atta Tarar recently claimed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi attempted to visit Khan in violation of jail protocols. This triggered strong pushback from Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which insists their court-approved visiting schedule—Tuesdays and Thursdays—isn't being honored.
Kasim Khan characterized the communication blackout as "a deliberate attempt to hide my father's condition" rather than legitimate security protocol. He issued a stark warning that "the Pakistani government and its handlers will be held fully accountable legally, morally and internationally for my father's safety."
The family has now turned to international organizations and human rights groups, urging immediate intervention. Kasim's final plea summarized their demands: "We demand proof of his 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."
As speculation about Imran Khan's health continues to circulate on social media, with some rumors even suggesting he may have died, the complete lack of transparency from Pakistani authorities has transformed a political imprisonment into an international human rights concern.
