Growing anxiety over the well-being of Pakistan's former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, has pushed his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), to call for nationwide demonstrations. The party's leadership and Khan's family have been unable to meet the imprisoned leader for over three weeks, fueling alarming rumors and demands for immediate verification of his condition.
Nationwide Protests and Security Crackdown
In a direct response to the deepening crisis, PTI has organized major protests. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister and senior PTI leader, Sohail Afridi, announced a significant demonstration outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and another near Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. He urged all party members to mobilize immediately.
Furthermore, PTI parliamentarians plan to stage a protest before the IHC chief justice, accusing the authorities of "blatant contempt of court." Anticipating these large gatherings, authorities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have imposed Section 144, banning public assemblies from December 1 to December 3. This extends existing restrictions that have been in place since November 18.
Allegations of Solitary Confinement and Family's Anguish
The core of the controversy lies in claims that Imran Khan is being held incommunicado. PTI leader Sohail Afridi alleges that Khan has been in "complete isolation" since November 4. According to these claims, his sisters, senior party officials, lawyers, and even his personal doctors have been barred from meeting him, effectively placing him in solitary confinement.
This lack of access has led to desperate calls from his family for "proof of life." Khan's sons have expressed grave fears, suggesting authorities might be hiding "something irreversible" about their 73-year-old father's health. They highlighted that despite a judicial order for weekly meetings, there has been no verified contact for more than three weeks, a situation one son described as "a form of psychological torture."
Official Denials and Mounting Political Tension
In stark contrast to the family's concerns, Pakistani officials have dismissed the rumors. Rana Sanaullah, adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, along with some PTI figures, stated that Imran Khan was "fine and nothing is wrong with him." Separately, a jail official informed Reuters that Khan was in good health and they were unaware of any plans for a prison transfer.
Imran Khan, who was ousted via a parliamentary vote in 2022, has been incarcerated since August 2023. He is currently serving a 14-year sentence in a corruption case, among other convictions, all of which he claims are politically motivated. The current standoff over his health and access has significantly escalated political tensions in the country.
