ISLAMABAD: Kasim Khan, son of jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder ImranKhan, has publicly accused the government of deliberately obstructing visaapplications for him and his brother Sulaiman to travel to Pakistan andmeet their father. In a statement on social media platform X, Kasimhighlighted that Imran Khan has endured solitary confinement for 914 days,during which his health has reportedly deteriorated significantly withoutaccess to independent medical care. He described the denial of treatment ascruel and the prevention of family visits as collective punishment, urginginternational intervention to avert irreversible harm.
The allegations emerge against a backdrop of persistent concerns over ImranKhan’s detention conditions since his arrest in August 2023. Reportsindicate that the former prime minister, now 73, has been largely confinedat Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, often isolated for extended periods withlimited external contact. International human rights mechanisms havepreviously raised alarms about prolonged solitary confinement, noting thatperiods exceeding 15 days can constitute psychological torture under globalstandards. A United Nations expert emphasized the need to end suchpractices promptly to safeguard physical and mental well-being.
Kasim and Sulaiman, residing in London with their mother Jemima Goldsmith,submitted visa applications to the Pakistan High Commission as early asJuly 2025, with reapplications in January 2026. Despite these efforts, theapplications remain stalled at the Interior Ministry, which holds authorityover approvals for foreign nationals. Sources suggest technical grounds,such as undisclosed prior travel, may be invoked for denial rather than anexplicit rejection, though the family views this as intentional obstructionaimed at preventing any reunion.
Recent developments have intensified scrutiny of Imran Khan’s medicalsituation. Last week, authorities acknowledged that the former premierreceived treatment at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences inIslamabad following media disclosures about his condition. The procedurereportedly addressed an eye issue, with officials stating that vitalsremained stable and the intervention concluded smoothly. However, thePakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf condemned the transfer as secretive, claiming itoccurred without family notification or permission for personal physiciansto attend.
Imran Khan’s health history adds urgency to these claims. He has longsuffered from a serious spinal injury sustained in a 2013 accident,compounded by injuries from a 2022 assassination attempt. Recent PTIassertions point to a diagnosis of central retinal vein occlusion in oneeye, a condition that risks permanent vision loss without timelyspecialized care. Party leaders argue that denial of trusted doctors andrestricted access exacerbates these vulnerabilities, potentiallyendangering his life.
The family’s frustration reflects broader criticisms of detention practicesin high-profile political cases. Kasim’s statement underscores theemotional toll, asserting that blocking children from seeing their fatherviolates basic human rights. He called on human rights organizations andforeign governments to advocate actively, warning that continued inactioncould lead to lasting damage. Such appeals align with ongoing internationalmonitoring of Imran Khan’s case.
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Government responses to these accusations have been limited in publicstatements. Officials have not directly addressed the visa delays in recentreports, though past acknowledgments of medical interventions suggest somelevel of engagement with health concerns. The Interior Ministry’s role invisa processing for overseas Pakistanis and foreign family members remainsa point of contention, with critics alleging political motivations behindadministrative hurdles.
This episode highlights tensions in Pakistan’s political landscape, whereImran Khan’s incarceration continues to fuel debate over judicial fairness,prisoner rights, and family access. PTI supporters view the visa issues aspart of a pattern of suppression, while authorities maintain that legalprocesses govern all decisions. The 914-day mark in solitary confinement,as cited by Kasim, serves as a stark indicator of the prolonged nature ofthe detention.
As concerns mount, calls for transparency in Imran Khan’s treatment andfamily visitation rights persist. Independent verification of health statusand conditions could alleviate some doubts, though restricted accesscomplicates such efforts. The situation draws parallels to globaldiscussions on humane treatment of political detainees and the importanceof upholding family unity even in custody.
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