Pakistan’s incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan remains in satisfactory physical condition but suffers from severe psychological distress due to prolonged isolation, according to his sister Dr. Uzma Khanum following a closely supervised prison visit. The Tuesday meeting at Adiala Jail marked the first family access to the 73-year-old opposition leader in weeks, conducted under stringent surveillance without electronic devices.
Dr. Khanum, the sole relative permitted contact, confirmed her brother’s physical wellbeing but revealed concerning detention conditions including indoor confinement with minimal outdoor exposure and complete communication blackout with relatives and political associates. The visit occurred as supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party protested outside the facility against what they term politically motivated imprisonment.
The former cricket star turned politician has been detained since August 2023 on corruption convictions he maintains are fabricated to eliminate his political influence. PTI officials allege routine visits have been systematically blocked despite judicial directives, fueling speculation about his treatment and potential prison transfers.
Government authorities deny allegations of mistreatment, with Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry asserting that Khan receives all standard prisoner entitlements and that visitation decisions rest with jail administrators rather than federal officials. This position contradicts family claims that they lacked verifiable contact for over three weeks, with Khan’s son previously expressing fear about ‘irreversible’ developments being concealed.
The situation has drawn formal concern from Pakistan’s independent Human Rights Commission, which issued a statement emphasizing the necessity of regular family and legal access as fundamental protection against isolation and detention power abuse. The commission urged compliance with constitutional and international humane treatment standards, particularly regarding the year-long absence of medical examinations by Khan’s personal physician.