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By Jordan King and Shane Croucher
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A Pakistani senator has demanded "immediate access" to the country's imprisoned former prime minister, Imran Khan, as fears grow over his well-being. Khan's family and friends say they have had no contact with Khan for three weeks.
Khan is serving out a 14-year sentence for multiple corruption convictions, which he and his supporters say were politically motivated charges and without merit. The military denies this. The former international cricketer, a towering figure in Pakistani politics, is also barred from holding office.
"Immediate access to Imran Khan MUST be granted now," said Senator Faisal Javed Khan, who belongs to Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, in a post on X. "He remains in extreme isolation in Jail. No meetings with family members, sisters, Personal doctors, party people and even his lawyers. Not even allowed telephonic contact with his own children."
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Newsweek has contacted the PTI, via an online contact form, for comment, as well as the Pakistani government’s Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, via email.
Why It Matters
Khan’s continued isolation has become a flashpoint in Pakistan’s ongoing political turmoil. The inability to access Khan—a major political figure and former prime minister—raises questions about judicial transparency, due process, and the treatment of political detainees in Pakistan. The concerns over Khan's isolation come against a backdrop of political unrest, allegations of military interference, and disputed election outcomes.
The situation has elevated international attention on Pakistan’s human rights record and government accountability.
What To Know
Javed said: “This is deliberate incommunicado detention and a clear violation of basic human rights, Pakistan’s Constitution, and UN standards. The nation is anxious. End the isolation. Allow family (including phone calls to his children), lawyers, doctors, and party leaders immediate and full access."
Khan is currently being held in Adiala Jail, in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, according to Reuters. Recent days have seen protests from his family and party outside the gate.
PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari claimed that no one has seen Khan since November 4 and no reason has been given for this, according to Reuters. Bukhari also said that Khan is being denied visits and medical support.
"His health is our concern. We are worried about his illegal isolation," Bukhari told Reuters.
Prisoners are allowed to meet outsiders at least once a week, according to Reuters, but jail authorities can suspend this access.
PTI has said that there have been periods where Khan has not been allowed to see people before.
Adiala Jail has denied social media rumors about his mistreatment or demise, or that he had been transferred to a different prison.
An unnamed jail official who spoke to Reuters said the same, adding that Khan is in good health.
Newsweek has contacted Adiala Jail, via email, for comment.
Khan, who once captained Pakistan's national cricket team, was elected as prime minister in 2018, before a vote in parliament ousted him in 2022 and he was arrested in 2023.
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What People Are Saying
Adiala Jail told the Deccan Herald, an Indian English language newspaper: "The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership has been informed regarding Imran Khan’s health. All necessary care is being provided to the PTI chief.”
Imran Khan's sister Aleema Khanum told NDTV: "For the last six, seven months, they have caused a lot of trouble; sometimes they let me meet him, sometimes they let one of my sisters meet him, sometimes they don't let anyone meet him. Many times we wait outside for hours.”
What Happens Next
The visibility and health status of Imran Khan remain central issues in Pakistan’s fractious political climate and its international image. PTI leaders have demanded impartial investigations into alleged police violence and the restoration of Khan’s right to visitation, legal counsel and medical care.
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