Qasim Khan, the son of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, has issued an urgent public demand to the government to provide 'proof of life' for his father. This plea comes amidst growing fears of assassination or 'slow poisoning' within Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan has been incarcerated since May 2023. For over a month, access to the former premier has been completely cut off for his family, legal counsel, and party leaders, leading to widespread alarm and international concern.
Imran Khan's Prolonged Confinement and Isolation
Imran Khan has been held in Adiala Jail for 845 days, facing various charges. While family visits were already severely restricted over the past year and a half, the situation has escalated dramatically in the last six weeks, while during this period, Khan has been placed in what his son describes as a 'death cell,' subjected to complete solitary confinement. This 'inhumane solitary confinement' has drawn significant criticism from international human rights organizations, who have voiced their deep concerns over the lack of transparency and the potential violation of basic human rights.
Qasim Khan's Urgent Social Media Appeal
On Friday evening, Qasim Khan took to social media to make his impassioned appeal, stating, 'We demand proof of life for Imran Khan, while ' His post highlighted the severe distress and uncertainty surrounding his father's well-being. Qasim detailed that for the past six weeks, his father has been kept in complete isolation with no transparency regarding his condition. He emphasized that despite clear court orders, his sisters have been denied visits, and there has been no phone contact or any verifiable proof that his father is alive and safe.
Grave Accusations Against the Government
Qasim Khan leveled serious accusations against the Pakistani government, asserting that the current restrictions aren't merely security protocols. Instead, he claimed, 'This isn't a security protocol. This is a deliberate attempt to conceal my father's condition and prevent the family from knowing whether he's safe or not. ' This statement implies a deliberate cover-up, raising profound questions about the government's intentions and the treatment of a high-profile political prisoner, while the lack of communication and access fuels suspicions of foul play, intensifying the political crisis in the country.
Warnings and Accountability for the Government
In a stern warning, Qasim stated that the Pakistani government and its 'operators' would be held 'fully responsible legally, morally, and internationally' for Imran Khan's safety and for all consequences arising from his 'inhumane isolation. ' This declaration underscores the family's determination to pursue all available avenues, including international legal and human rights platforms, should any harm come to the former Prime Minister. The warning serves as a direct challenge to the authorities, demanding accountability and transparency.
Family and Party's Stance and Protests
Imran Khan's three sisters, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and numerous PTI workers and supporters have been staging a continuous protest outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi for several days. They're demanding immediate access to their leader and have threatened nationwide protests if visits aren't allowed soon. One of Khan's sisters issued a particularly strong warning, stating that 'if something happens to Imran, the responsible people and. Their families won't be safe here and abroad,' indicating the extreme level of frustration and anger among his supporters.
Legal Recourse and Health Concerns
Further escalating the situation, Imran Khan's sister, Aleema Khanam, filed a contempt of court petition in the Islamabad High Court on Friday. The petition targets the Adiala Jail superintendent and other officials, citing a March 24th High Court order that had explicitly restored permission for two weekly visits, which has since been disregarded. The PTI party has also voiced grave concerns about Imran Khan's health, claiming he's rapidly losing weight, experiencing weakening eyesight, and expressing fears that he's being slowly poisoned. The party has issued a stark warning that if immediate access isn't granted, they will block. Roads across the entire country, potentially leading to widespread civil unrest and further destabilizing the political landscape.
