Pakistan Government Denies Visit Restrictions on Imran Khan's Sons

The government of Pakistan has issued a statement clarifying that there are no restrictions preventing the sons of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from visiting their father, who is currently incarcerated. Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry confirmed that if Suleman Khan and Kasim Khan, who reside in London, wish to travel to Pakistan, they will receive the necessary visas to visit their father at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

This clarification comes amid reports suggesting that unannounced limitations had been imposed on visits to Imran Khan, with allegations that some visitors may have been attempting to use these meetings for political purposes. Following these claims, family members and supporters from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party expressed serious concerns regarding the conditions of Imran Khan's detention.

"There has been no embargo on Suleman Khan and Kasim Khan meeting their father, Imran Khan, at Adiala Jail," Chaudhry stated to reporters. The minister's comments follow an interview in which Suleman and Kasim expressed their fears about possibly never seeing their father again. They highlighted that it has been several months since they last communicated with Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023, and raised alarms about his safety and health.

In the interview, the brothers described the conditions of their father’s confinement, claiming he is subjected to isolation that they characterised as torture. Kasim Khan specifically noted, "They are not even allowing guards to speak to him because they want total isolation from any other person, just to try and break him. So it’s all very clear torture tactics."

Imran Khan's legal troubles began after his ousting from office in April 2022, and he now faces multiple charges, including corruption and sharing state secrets. The United Nations Special Rapporteur has described his imprisonment conditions as potentially amounting to inhumane or degrading treatment.

Kasim Khan further revealed that the last time he spoke to his father was during a brief six-minute phone call three months ago, while the last in-person meeting occurred three years ago. He expressed the emotional toll this separation has taken on their family, stating, "It’s very hard to just carry on with your normal life."

In response to the claims made by the Khan brothers regarding their father's treatment, a spokesperson for the Pakistani government stated that Imran Khan does not spend his time in a conventional prison cell. Instead, they claim he has designated living quarters that include access to exercise facilities and outdoor space, asserting that Khan's treatment is far more favourable than that of a typical prisoner.

The spokesperson, Mosharraf Zaidi, added that Khan's family would be entitled to the same rights as any other visitors to Pakistan, and emphasised that local authorities would take necessary measures to prevent any political activities during their visit.

As the situation continues to develop, the international community is closely monitoring the treatment of Imran Khan in custody and the implications of his ongoing legal battles for Pakistan's political landscape.