Imran Khan's sons accuse army chief of slow poisoning in jail
Hearing underway in court regarding Imran Khan's medical treatment and family visitation requests.
The sons of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is imprisoned in Pakistan, have accused Army Chief General Asim Munir of taking out “personal vendetta” against their father. They have expressed concern that Imran Khan is being “slowly killed” in jail.
These allegations have been made at a time when hearings are taking place in Islamabad regarding petitions related to Imran Khan's treatment and permission for family visits.
Imran Khan's sons, 27-year-old Qasim Khan and 29-year-old Suleman Khan, said in an interview with The Guardian that they are “extremely worried” about their 73-year-old father's health. They claimed that the conditions in which Imran Khan is being held in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, are akin to “mental and physical torture.” Imran Khan has been imprisoned since 2023 and is serving a 14-year sentence in a corruption case.
Suleman, the elder son of the former PM, claimed,
The reality is that he is kept in a small cell measuring six by eight feet, where he has no contact with any human.
He alleged that Imran Khan has not been given new books for several months and is also not allowed to meet family members or independent doctors.
According to Suleman,
Imran Khan's eye condition has not been properly treated, which has possibly resulted in the loss of vision in one eye.
The former PM's younger son, Qasim Khan, said that,
The family has not received any independent medical assessment regarding Imran Khan's health.
He added,
We feel that they are trying to slowly kill him in jail. The real personal vendetta lies with Army Chief Asim Munir.
However, these allegations have not been independently verified. The Supreme Court of Pakistan is currently hearing a case related to Imran Khan's treatment and family visits. On August 18, the Supreme Court ordered authorities to transfer Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Islamabad's private Shifa International Hospital, where a specialist medical board was to examine and treat him. Despite this, Imran Khan was taken to the government-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) instead of Shifa International Hospital. After examination, he was sent back to jail. The government cited security reasons for this. Following this, Imran Khan's family demanded contempt proceedings, alleging non-compliance with the Supreme Court's order.
The Pakistan government has dismissed the allegations made by Imran Khan's sons. According to The Guardian, the government has termed these claims as “fake propaganda,” stating that Imran Khan is being provided adequate facilities in jail, including home-cooked meals, fruits, bottled water, exercise equipment, family visits, and regular medical check-ups.
The government has also categorically rejected allegations that Imran Khan is being held in solitary confinement for punitive reasons or that he is being subjected to cruelty and deprivation of facilities. The government defended the medical examination conducted at PIMS, stating that it was carried out by qualified doctors, including specialists. However, his family and supporters have raised questions about the adequacy of the examination and the decision not to transfer him to Shifa Hospital. The Supreme Court's order on August 18 directed the transfer of Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital and to keep him there until September 16, following concerns raised about his right eye condition. The court also directed the formation of a medical board including specialists in medicine, surgery, ophthalmology, and cardiology.
However, Imran Khan was taken to PIMS instead of the private hospital. The family alleges that the government did not comply with the court's clear directive, while officials claim that changing hospitals was necessary for security reasons.
Pakistan's newly formed Federal Constitutional Court on Tuesday also sought records from the Supreme Court and High Court regarding cases related to the transfer of Imran Khan and three other prisoners from Adiala Jail to private hospitals. When the hearing resumed on Wednesday, the Supreme Court summoned the Attorney General of Pakistan. The bench was informed that the Federal Constitutional Court had requested the records of this case.
Qasim and Suleman have linked their father's treatment to the old relationship between Imran Khan and General Asim Munir. They claim that during his tenure as Prime Minister, Imran Khan had reduced Asim Munir's position. The sons allege that the tension that arose between the two is a reason for the treatment being meted out to Imran Khan after his removal from power.
Suleman claimed that,
this treatment towards their father is being carried out “on the orders of Asim Munir.”
Both of Imran Khan's sons have been vocal in demanding their father's release. However, they have clarified that they have no plans to enter Pakistani politics or take over the leadership of their father's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Both have stated that they want to visit their father in Pakistan from the UK, but despite applying several months ago, they have not been granted visas. Meanwhile, PTI has planned a nationwide movement demanding Imran Khan's release and action regarding his conditions in jail.
Imran Khan has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the cases filed against him. His supporters allege that his arrest and sentencing are politically motivated. After being ousted from power in 2022, several cases have been filed against Imran Khan, some of which have been suspended or overturned during appeals.