Concerns over the safety and health of Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan are growing, prompting his political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), to announce widespread protests.
For more than three weeks, Imran Khan’s family and PTI leaders have been trying to meet the jailed leader, but their requests have reportedly gone unanswered. This fueled growing speculation that the cricketer-turned-politician could be dead.
Protests and security measures
In response to growing concerns about the condition of PTI founder incl Adiala Prisonparty members planned demonstrations in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister and PTI leader Sohail Afridi announced a major protest outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and a demonstration outside the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. The KP CM also called upon all PTI members to immediately mobilize to Islamabad and later assemble near Adiala Jail.
Besides, all the PTI MPs are planning to stage a protest at the IHC in front of the Chief Justice on Tuesday.
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“This is blatant contempt of court. We will stage a protest at the IHC,” Afridi said.
In anticipation of these large gatherings, authorities have decided to limit public gatherings. Section 144, which prohibits public gatherings, was imposed in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. This is despite existing restrictions on public gatherings that have been in place since November 18.
The Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner’s office confirmed the imposition of Section 144 from December 1 to December 3.
Claims for solitary confinement
Central to the dispute is Khan’s alleged isolation.
PTI leader Sohail Afridi claimed this Imran Khan has been held in “total isolation” since November 4.
He also stated that Khan’s sisters, senior party officials, legal advisers and even personal doctors were prevented from meeting him, effectively placing him in solitary confinement.
Khan’s family says court-ordered prison visits remain blocked.
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Family demands ‘proof of life’
The lack of verifiable communication fueled intense speculation on social media, including unsubstantiated rumors of Khan’s death in custody, prompting family and party leaders to urgently demand “proof of life”.
Khan’s sons further fueled those fears, claiming the authorities may be hiding “something irreversible” about their 73-year-old father’s condition. Kasim Khan noted that the family had no direct or verified contact with the former prime minister for more than three weeks, despite a court order mandating weekly meetings.
“Not knowing whether your father is safe, injured or even alive is a form of psychological torture,” he said in written notes, adding that there had been no independently confirmed communication for several months.
The family is also seeking immediate access for Khan’s personal doctor, who has not been allowed to examine him for more than a year.
Speculation has also run rampant following reports that Khan could be moved to a high-security facility, a move the family believes would further limit interaction.
Contrary to the family’s concerns, Pakistani officials dismissed rumors about Khan’s health and safety. Rana Sanaullah, adviser to the prime minister on political affairs, and senior PTI officials reportedly said that Imran Khan was “fine and nothing is wrong with him,” they said. Dawn.
A prison official reported separately Reuters that Khan was in good health and said they knew of no plans to move him to prison.
Khan, who was ousted in a parliamentary vote in 2022, has been in prison since August 2023. He is currently serving a 14-year sentence in a corruption case, among other convictions he says are politically motivated.
