UN Expert Condemns Imran Khan's Prison Conditions: Potential Human Rights Violations in Pakistan's Political Crisis

The UN expert has formally addressed Imran Khan's case with Pakistani authorities.

A United Nations human rights specialist has called on Pakistan to improve the detention conditions of former Prime Minister Imran Khan immediately, cautioning that his treatment in prison could constitute torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment. This intervention occurs during a period of intensified political tensions in Pakistan, where Khan's imprisonment remains one of the most divisive issues in the country's volatile political environment.

In a statement released on Friday, Alice Jill Edwards, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture, urged Pakistani officials to ensure that Khan's detention adheres to international human rights standards. Khan, 72, has been incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since September 26, 2023, and currently faces multiple legal proceedings that his supporters claim are politically motivated—an allegation rejected by both the government and military establishment.

Edwards indicated she had received "credible information" that Khan has been subjected to extended solitary confinement, spending up to 23 hours daily isolated in his cell with severely limited access to the outside world. His cell is reportedly under continuous camera surveillance. According to international law, prolonged or indefinite solitary confinement is prohibited, and isolation extending beyond 15 days may constitute psychological torture.

"Khan's solitary confinement should be lifted without delay," Edwards stated, warning that prolonged isolation can result in severe physical and mental health consequences. Based on information shared with the UN expert, Khan has been denied outdoor exercise, interaction with fellow prisoners, and participation in communal prayers. Visits from lawyers and family members, even when court-authorized, are frequently abbreviated or disrupted.

The Special Rapporteur also expressed serious concerns regarding the physical conditions of Khan's cell, described as small, poorly ventilated, and lacking natural light. Extreme temperatures during summer and winter, unpleasant odors, and insect infestations have reportedly caused nausea, vomiting, and significant weight loss.

"Anyone deprived of liberty must be treated with humanity and dignity," Edwards emphasized, adding that detention conditions must consider an individual's age and health. Khan has a history of serious medical issues, including a spinal injury from a 2013 accident and gunshot wounds from a 2022 assassination attempt. Edwards noted he has reportedly been denied adequate medical care and urged authorities to permit visits from his personal physicians.

Khan's detention has become a central issue in Pakistan's deep political divisions following his removal from office in April 2022 and the subsequent crackdown on his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. While the government maintains that Khan is being held in accordance with the law, his supporters argue that the cases against him and the restrictions on his detention form part of a broader effort to politically marginalize him.

Edwards confirmed she has formally raised Khan's case with the Government of Pakistan and will continue to monitor developments, highlighting increasing international scrutiny of Pakistan's human rights record as the political crisis continues to unfold.