The sons of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, Kasim Khan and Sulaiman Khan, have expressed grave concerns regarding their father’s health. They claim that since his imprisonment, the Pakistani authorities have prevented family members, legal representatives, and medical professionals from visiting him for a period of seven months. On August 6, coinciding with the third anniversary of their father’s detention, the brothers spoke with CNN to highlight the lack of credible information regarding Imran Khan’s condition due to these strict access restrictions.

In their statements, the brothers articulated their frustration, stating, “We have no updates because his family, doctors and lawyers haven’t been allowed to see him for seven months.” This declaration aligns with widespread protests occurring across Pakistan. Supporters of Khan’s political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have been demanding his immediate release and that of his wife, Bushra Bibi.

Imran Khan’s Legal Troubles

Imran Khan was Pakistan’s Prime Minister from 2018 until he was removed through a parliamentary no-confidence vote in 2022. Following his ousting, Khan has faced multiple convictions, including those related to corruption and the alleged breach of official secrecy laws. He has maintained that the legal actions against him are politically motivated, designed to hinder his return to politics. The situation escalated after his removal, when he led nationwide protests, contending that his ouster was part of a conspiracy involving the current Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, alongside the military and foreign entities.

The Pakistani government has initiated measures to suppress the PTI leadership and their supporters, effectively barring the party from contesting the upcoming 2024 general elections. Amidst these challenging circumstances, the brothers, who currently reside in the UK following their parents’ separation in 2004, have faced continuous obstacles when attempting to visit their father in Pakistan.

Kasim and Sulaiman revealed that their efforts to travel have been hampered by delays in visa processing from Pakistani authorities whenever they attempt to speak out about their father’s situation. “We’re trying, we’d like to go, but nothing’s coming through,” Kasim explained. He further added that there is no valid reason for the visa denials, emphasising their urgent need to renew their identity documents, which have lapsed.

International Reaction and Calls for Action

The growing concern for Imran Khan’s wellbeing has attracted attention from international human rights organisations. Amnesty International recently issued a statement calling for the authorities in Pakistan to ensure that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are allowed access to their family and legal counsel. The organisation also stressed that both individuals should receive adequate medical care, and their unlawful solitary confinement should be brought to an end.

Despite official claims regarding his health status, Kasim expressed ongoing worry due to the absence of independent medical assessments. “They’re refusing to show us any kind of health report. So his health may have deteriorated significantly since then,” he stated during the interview. The brothers also rejected notions that Imran Khan would consider negotiating a selective political settlement, with Sulaiman asserting that such an arrangement would need to address the circumstances of other political prisoners as well.

Kasim called on the international community to observe the situation in Pakistan closely. He emphasised the collective frustration felt by the millions who voted for Khan, wishing for his return to power, yet finding him imprisoned under what they perceive as unjust circumstances. “This is one of the most frustrating things,” he remarked, highlighting the sentiments of support for their father that span across a significant portion of the population.

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