Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan is allegedly being kept in near-total isolation inside a designated “death cell” at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail—a condition his son, Qasim Khan, describes as inhumane and potentially life-threatening. Qasim claims that despite clear court orders, prison authorities have blocked all communication with Imran Khan’s family and legal team, and have failed to provide any proof that he is alive.
Dark, Windowless Cell With Almost No Airflow
Speaking to The Telegraph from London, Qasim Khan said his father has been confined for months in an extremely restrictive environment—
a dark, windowless room with minimal ventilation and no access to sunlight. He added that all basic human rights—phone calls, family visits, and medical consultations—have been denied.
According to Qasim,
“Imran Khan is locked inside a death cell for up to 22 hours a day. He has not been allowed to see a doctor. Phone calls to the family have been cut for six months. No visits are permitted. This is direct psychological torture designed to break his spirit.”
Family and PTI Leaders Protest Outside Adiala Jail
Imran Khan’s three sisters—Noreen Khan, Aleema Khan, and Uzma Khan—along with senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, have been staging continuous protest sit-ins in front of Adiala Jail.
They are demanding:
- Medical and physical proof that Imran Khan is alive and unharmed
- Immediate permission for family visitation
- Enforcement of existing court orders
A contempt-of-court petition has also been filed against the prison authorities for refusing to comply with judicial instructions.
Family members allege that requests for visitation are deliberately delayed or rejected without explanation, and in many cases, the authorities have stated outright that no visits will be permitted.
Tensions escalated further when police reportedly pushed and dragged Imran’s sisters away as they tried to join the protests near the prison entrance.
Rumors of Death in Custody Shake Pakistan
Last week, widespread rumors circulated across Pakistan claiming that Imran Khan had died in custody. The speculation triggered nationwide alarm, prompting both the government and PTI to issue swift denials.
Still, the absence of communication and lack of verified updates continue to fuel public anxiety.
Qasim warned,
“The Pakistani government will be fully responsible for my father’s safety. His prolonged isolation and denial of medical care could have devastating consequences.”
14-Year Sentence in the Al-Qadir Trust Case
Imran Khan is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence after being convicted in a corruption case involving the Al-Qadir Trust. The allegation is that he and his wife, Bushra Bibi, accepted land from a real-estate tycoon as a bribe while in office.
Both Imran and Bushra have denied the allegations, insisting the land was donated for an educational institution and accusing the military-backed government of political persecution.
Qasim added,
“If we talk about corruption, half of Pakistan’s political elite would be in jail. But my father is being singled out because he symbolized change, challenged the military establishment, and inspired millions.”
UN Working Group Labels Arrest “Politically Motivated”
In March 2024, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) declared Imran Khan’s imprisonment “politically motivated, legally baseless, and in clear violation of international standards.”
Qasim has now appealed directly to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Dr. Alice Edwards, urging immediate international intervention to stop what he described as “inhumane, degrading, and punitive isolation.”
