Pakistan ‘plans to kill Imran Khan’
Imran Khan's sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, have accused Pakistani authorities of deliberately endangering their father's life by denying him court-ordered medical care and keeping him in solitary confinement at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail. They fear a fate similar to that of former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, who died in custody in 2019 in circumstances widely attributed to neglect in detention. The claims add to long-running international concern over the treatment of the 73-year-old former Pakistani prime minister, who denies the corruption charges for which he is serving two sentences totalling 31 years.
Kasim, 27, said prisoners at the jail have died of hepatitis and warned authorities could later attribute any harm to his father as a "natural death". Despite a Supreme Court order for Khan to be assessed at a private hospital, he was reportedly taken instead to a government facility and declared fit to return to his cell, even though he has apparently lost 85% of the vision in his right eye due to a blood clot. The brothers, whose mother is Jemima Goldsmith, said they have not seen their father since an assassination attempt four years ago, have been unable to visit due to visa issues, and are seeking support from new Prime Minister Andy Burnham after criticising the previous government's response.
In short
- Imran Khan's sons accuse Pakistan of endangering his life in jail
- Khan denied hospital care despite reported major vision loss
- Sons seek UK government help, fear repeat of Morsi's death
Explained simply
Imran Khan is a former Pakistan prime minister and a prominent opposition figure. He was removed from office in 2022 and later convicted in corruption cases, which he denies; he is serving prison sentences at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan’s courts, government and prison authorities have different roles in deciding Khan’s legal case and overseeing his detention. His treatment in custody has drawn attention because of concerns about his health and access to medical care, while his supporters say the cases against him are politically motivated. These disputes matter because they have become part of wider tensions over political opposition and the rule of law in Pakistan.
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