The sons of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan have issued a grave and emotional appeal, expressing fears that they might never see their father again due to the harsh conditions of his imprisonment. Kasim Khan and Sulaiman Khan, in an interview with Sky News, detailed what they described as "awful" circumstances and alleged psychological pressure aimed at their father.
Dire Conditions and Solitary Confinement
Speaking out on December 17, 2025, the brothers painted a stark picture of Khan's detention at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail. They claimed his cell lacks basic amenities like electricity and clean water. More alarmingly, they asserted that the 71-year-old former cricket star is being subjected to psychological torture while held in solitary confinement. This isolation, they argue, is a deliberate tactic to break his spirit.
Imran Khan's legal troubles are extensive. Since his initial arrest in May 2023 on corruption charges, he has been slapped with over 150 legal cases. He has already been convicted and sentenced in several, with prison terms running concurrently and ranging from three to 14 years. Throughout this legal onslaught, Khan has maintained his innocence, insisting that all charges are politically motivated attempts to remove him from public life permanently.
A Family's Fear and Political Persecution Claims
The interview revealed the deep personal anguish of Khan's family. "We fear we might never see him again," his sons stated, highlighting the severity of their concern. Their account goes beyond physical discomfort, focusing on the mental toll of prolonged incarceration under what they call a targeted campaign.
Khan's narrative of political victimization has been a constant since his ouster from power. His sons' latest statements reinforce this claim, suggesting the prison conditions are part of a broader strategy to silence Pakistan's most prominent opposition leader. The former prime minister alleges the establishment is using the judiciary to keep him sidelined.
Broader Implications for Pakistan's Political Landscape
This development intensifies the ongoing political crisis in Pakistan. Khan remains immensely popular among a significant section of the populace, and allegations of his mistreatment in jail could galvanize his supporters and lead to further instability. The situation puts a spotlight on Pakistan's judicial processes and prison conditions, attracting international scrutiny.
The key facts of the case remain:
- Date of Statement: December 17, 2025.
- Accusers: Kasim Khan and Sulaiman Khan, Imran Khan's sons.
- Allegations: Awful jail conditions, no electricity or clean water, psychological torture in solitary confinement.
- Legal Status: Over 150 cases, multiple convictions with sentences from 3-14 years running concurrently.
- Khan's Stance: Pleads innocence, claims political motivation behind all cases.
- Initial Arrest: May 2023 on corruption charges.
As the legal battles continue, the well-being of the former prime minister in Adiala Jail and the transparency of the proceedings against him are likely to remain contentious issues, both within Pakistan and for observers abroad.
