The sons of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan have issued a grave warning about their father’s deteriorating prison conditions, describing his confinement as tantamount to psychological torture. In an exclusive Sky News interview, Kasim Khan and Sulaiman Isa Khan revealed they haven’t spoken to their father in seven months and fear they “might never see him again.”
The brothers detailed what they characterized as “awful” detention circumstances, including prolonged solitary confinement in a small, dimly lit cell with intermittent electricity and questionable water quality. Sulaiman specifically noted that such facilities have historically been used for inmates on death row, labeling it a “death cell” that falls dramatically below international standards for prisoner treatment.
Their concerns echo those of United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture Alice Jill Edwards, who recently warned that Khan’s conditions could constitute inhuman or degrading treatment under international law. Edwards emphasized that extended isolation beyond 15 days represents psychological torture and urged Pakistani authorities to immediately lift the solitary confinement measures.
The sons plan to visit their father in January pending visa approvals, though they approach the journey with apprehension despite prior safety guarantees from Pakistan’s Defense Minister. Beyond personal visits, they intend to lobby international bodies in Brussels and Geneva, arguing that their father’s case differs significantly from typical political imprisonments due to its duration and severity.
Khan, ousted from power in a 2022 no-confidence vote after previously enjoying military support, faces multiple corruption charges that he denies. His supporters maintain that the charges are politically motivated and part of a broader campaign against his Tehreek-e-Insaf party following his accusations that army leadership orchestrated his downfall.