Imran Khan’s sisters stage protest outside Adiala Jail; raise alarm over his health, security

Islamabad, Pakistan – Sisters of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan protested outside Adiala Jail on Tuesday, raising concerns about his health and safety while in custody.

Imran Khan’s Sisters Protest Conditions of Detention

Uzma Khan and Aleema Khan gathered outside the prison gates, expressing serious concerns regarding Imran Khan’s health and security. Strict security arrangements were in place outside the jail during the protest.

The protest follows a meeting between Uzma Khanum and Imran Khan inside Adiala Jail on December 2, which sparked widespread speculation about his well-being. Uzma Khanum later claimed the former prime minister was facing “severe mental torture.”

Following the meeting, Uzma Khanum stated that Imran Khan was alive but expressed alarm over his physical condition and the conditions of his detention. She alleged he appeared frail, emotionally shaken, and was being kept in isolation. “Imran Khan’s health is absolutely fine. He is angry. He said that they are subjecting him to mental torture, and that Asim Munir is responsible for all of this,” Uzma Khanum said, naming Pakistan’s Army Chief.

The meeting reportedly lasted approximately 20 minutes. Leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have since reiterated their demands for independent medical assessments and permission for regular legal and family visits, while the government has not issued an official response to Uzma Khanum’s claims.

Rumors regarding Imran Khan’s condition intensified after unverified reports from Afghan media claimed he had died in custody. His son, Kasim Khan, demanded evidence that his father is alive, noting it has been “845 days” since Imran Khan was jailed and that he has allegedly been held in “a death cell” for six weeks without family access.

Imran Khan has been in prison since August 2023 in connection with multiple cases. Authorities have imposed tight restrictions on visits for over a month, which PTI claims are being enforced at the direction of an army officer, an accusation officials reject.

PTI maintained that allowing Uzma Khanum to meet her brother was only a starting point and said regular, unhindered meetings must now be permitted in line with court directives as political tensions continue around the incarcerated opposition leader.