Imran Khan's son accuses government of risking father's life in prison

Sulaiman Khan, a son of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, has accused the government of endangering his father's life in prison, saying an August Supreme Court order for his medical assessment and treatment at Shifa International Hospital has not been implemented.

In a series of posts on X, reported by Business Recorder, Sulaiman said the family had neither seen nor heard from his father since August, when the former premier told them he was being tortured and feared the authorities were trying to kill him.

He cited the United Nations special rapporteur on torture, saying the official had repeatedly stated that the treatment meted out to Imran Khan amounted to torture. "His health is deteriorating because of the inhumane treatment he has been subjected to in prison," Sulaiman said of his father's condition.

As Sulaiman described it, the Supreme Court's August order required that Imran Khan be assessed and treated at Shifa International Hospital and be given regular access to family members and lawyers. He alleged that neither part had been complied with. Business Recorder's report carried no response from the federal government, the interior ministry or the prison authorities to the allegations.

Sulaiman warned that the government would be held responsible if his father died in custody, alleging that the authorities feared the former premier because of his popularity. He said his father had been in exceptionally good physical condition when he was imprisoned three years ago, despite having survived an assassination attempt in which he was shot in the leg, and expressed concern that any deterioration leading to his death might be attributed to natural causes or old age.

Imran Khan served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022 and has remained imprisoned amid multiple legal cases. His detention and treatment have drawn sustained criticism from his supporters, who have repeatedly raised concerns about his health and his access to legal counsel.

Sulaiman also criticised foreign governments that maintain relations with Pakistan's current leadership, arguing that such engagement was incompatible with their claims of supporting democracy and human rights.

The Business Standard also reported on the sons' fears for their father's life, under a headline quoting the family's claim that the authorities were "trying to kill him". Neither report gave a date for the last confirmed family meeting with Imran Khan beyond the August reference.