Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is physically healthy but being kept in isolation, which has put him under mental stress, according to his sister Uzma Khanum. After several weeks of being denied family visitation rights, she met her brother for a short, supervised meeting at Adiala Jail on Tuesday. The news was reported by Reuters.
Uzma, one of Imran Khan’s three sisters and a medical doctor by profession, said after the meeting that Khan is being kept indoors for long hours and has no communication with family members or close aides. “Physically he is fine. But he is always kept inside, allowed outside for only a very short time. He has no communication with anyone,” she said.
She mentioned that the meeting took place under strict security measures and no mobile devices were allowed. She declined to provide further details. Meanwhile, outside the prison, supporters of Khan’s party, PTI, protested against the conditions of his imprisonment.
The 73-year-old Imran Khan served as Pakistan’s Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022. He has been in jail since his arrest on corruption charges in August 2023 and is serving multiple sentences. He claims the cases are politically motivated. PTI alleged that despite court orders, regular family meetings were suspended for weeks, fuelling concerns about his health and possible transfer.
Authorities have denied accusations of mistreatment, stating that he is receiving all entitlements available to prison inmates. State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry said that decisions regarding visits are made by prison authorities, not the government.
Last week, one of Khan’s sons told Reuters that the family had no direct or verified communication with him for more than three weeks and had no confirmed information regarding his physical condition.
The family has also requested renewed permission for Khan’s personal physician to visit him. That doctor has not seen him for over a year.
The independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan expressed deep concern in a post on X regarding the alleged harsh prison conditions and restrictions on family visits. The commission has called for ensuring regular access for family members and legal representatives.
