Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan Alive But "Mentally Tortured" in Jail, Sister Reveals After Rare Visit

New Delhi:

Dr. Uzma Khanum, sister of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, revealed Tuesday evening that her brother is alive but experiencing "mental torture" during their 20-minute meeting at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail.

After the meeting, Dr. Khanum informed reporters, "Alhamdulillah, he is all right... however, he expressed anger about being subjected to mental torture. He remains confined to his cell throughout the day, only permitted brief periods outside, and is unable to communicate with anyone."

She added that her brother had attributed his imprisonment and current situation to General Asim Munir, who has emerged as Pakistan's most influential figure after taking control of the military and modifying the Constitution to ensure lifetime immunity for himself, other service chiefs, and President Asif Ali Zardari.

This meeting occurred following widespread speculation regarding the ex-Prime Minister's health, particularly after his family was prohibited from visiting him for several weeks. It also came after demonstrations by Khan's supporters in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, which led authorities to ban large gatherings.

Despite these restrictions, protests continued outside the Islamabad High Court.

Worries about Khan's condition intensified last month when his three sisters – Noreen Niazi, Aleema Khan, and Uzma Khan – reported being assaulted when requesting to meet him.

These concerns were further heightened by statements from his sons suggesting that jail authorities were concealing "something irreversible" about their father's condition. Kasim Khan, one of his sons, told Reuters that there had been no direct or verifiable contact despite a court order permitting weekly meetings.

The family also highlighted that prison authorities had denied visits from Imran Khan's personal physician.

Before today's meeting, neither family members nor representatives from his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party had seen Khan for over 25 days, fueling rumors that he might have died and that authorities, fearing protests from millions who regard him as a national hero, were attempting to conceal this.

Pressure on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his government, who have thus far avoided providing proof of life, intensified Sunday when PTI Senator Khurram Zeeshan made public statements.

Imran Khan and General Asim Munir (L) (File photos).

Zeeshan alleged that Khan was being kept in isolation as a strategy to force him to leave Pakistan. Speaking to ANI from Pakistan, Zeeshan claimed the Shehbaz Sharif government felt threatened by Imran Khan's popularity, explaining why they refuse to release photos or videos of him.

The World Cup-winning cricketer, now 72, has been imprisoned since August 2023.

Rumors of his death initially circulated from social media accounts based in Afghanistan.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are currently engaged in military confrontations over a border dispute.