Imran Khan's Sons Accuse Pakistan Army Chief of 'Slowly Killing' Father in Prison
Kasim and Sulaiman Khan allege that Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir is orchestrating a personal vendetta against their imprisoned father, Imran Khan, by subjecting him to harsh prison conditions and denying adequate medical care. While the government denies these claims as propaganda, international bodies have raised concerns about potential psychological torture.
Imran Khan’s sons, Kasim and Sulaiman Khan, have publicly accused Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir of orchestrating a personal vendetta against their imprisoned father, alleging that he is being "slowly killed" through harsh prison conditions. The brothers claim that Khan, who has been held in Adiala prison in Rawalpindi since his arrest in 2023 serving a 14-year sentence on corruption charges, is subjected to solitary confinement and denied necessary medical attention.
According to statements from the sons, Khan is held in a cell measuring 6ft by 8ft without adequate medical care for an eye condition or family contact. Sulaiman Khan reported that his father has an eye condition that may have caused him to almost lose sight in one eye due to neglect. A Supreme Court ruling last month ordered Khan to be taken to a private hospital for treatment of a retinal vein blood clot, believed to have destroyed 85% of the sight in his right eye. However, instead of a private hospital, Khan was reportedly taken briefly to a government hospital, given injections, and ruled fit to return to prison, causing outrage among his family.
The sons also stated they have not been allowed to speak to their father for more than six months and have been prevented from traveling from the UK to Pakistan. They attribute this harsh treatment to a personal grudge held by Army Chief Asim Munir, whom Khan demoted while serving as Prime Minister. Munir became army chief in 2022, after which the persecution of Khan reportedly increased notably. Donald Trump previously referred to Munir as "my favourite field marshal," highlighting Munir's expanded powers and alliance with the former US President.
The Pakistan government has rejected these allegations as "fake propaganda," asserting that Khan receives proper treatment. Officials state that Khan has access to home-cooked food, nuts, bottled water, exercise equipment, family visits, and regular medical examinations. Despite these denials, the UN special rapporteur on torture stated that Khan's solitary confinement and detention conditions could amount to psychological torture.
Legal proceedings continue to unfold, with the Pakistan Supreme Court scheduled to rule on a case alleging the government is in contempt of court for denying Khan private hospital treatment and preventing family visits. Meanwhile, political mobilization is intensifying; Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), founded by Khan in 1996, is planning a nationwide march later this month demanding his release. Khan's closest aide, Zulfi Bukhari, stated that Khan would only accept a deal involving the restoration of democracy, rule of law, and the people's mandate.
The controversy has extended into the sporting arena, where Sky Sports aired an interview with Khan's sons during an England vs. Pakistan test match. This prompted a formal complaint from the Pakistan Cricket Board and threats from the Pakistani team to refuse play. Imran Khan, now 73, came to power in 2018 with military backing but was toppled in 2022 after falling out with military benefactors. By 2023, he faced charges for more than 100 crimes, including alleged corruption and sedition, which he claims are trumped up.