Nearly a month has passed since family members of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan being barred from seeing him in detention, sparking protests and raising serious concerns about his health and well-being.
On Tuesday, Khan’s sister, Uzma Khanum, finally visited him at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, near the capital Islamabad. She stated that Imran Khan`s health appears to be good, but she described the conditions of his confinement as poor and said Imran Khan has called his imprisonment “mental torture.”
Imran Khan is currently serving lengthy prison sentences following convictions on corruption charges. His wife, Bushra Bibi, is also serving a seven-year term related to the Al-Qadir Trust case. Both are political victims.
Conditions and Family Accounts
Uzma Khanum, a doctor by profession, told reporters that Imran Khan is confined to his cell most of the day and is only allowed outside for brief periods. “He is physically well. But he is kept inside all the time and only goes out for a short while. There is no contact with anybody. He was very angry and said that they are subjecting him to mental torture,” she reported.
She further explained that her 30-minute visit was closely supervised, with no mobile devices permitted. Alongside her sister Aleema Khanum and PTI leaders, she expressed concern over the conditions, describing Imran Khan as “very disturbed and angry,” and emphasized that he feels subjected to “mental torture” worse than physical punishment.
Official Access and Protest Movements
Despite court orders permitting visits, Khan’s family and PTI supporters claim that official access has been blocked. The Islamabad High Court had directed the Adiala jail authorities to facilitate visits on specific days, but families say they have been denied entry, fueling rumors about Khan’s health and possible transfer to another facility. Some supporters even speculated that Khan had died.
In response, Khan’s supporters staged protests outside Adiala Jail starting November 18, including demonstrations in Peshawar, and claims of violent detention of protesters. Notably, a sit-in was held overnight outside the jail on November 28 by PTI leader Sohail Afridi, who alleged he had been denied access to Khan multiple times.
Government’s Response and Political Impact
The government has not officially confirmed whether visits are blocked or provided reasons for restrictions. However, authorities enacted Section 144 in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, prohibiting public gatherings to prevent protests.
Political analysts argue that the restrictions on Khan’s visits are a strategic move aimed at weakening his influence. Imtiaz Gul of the Center for Research and Security Studies suggests the move is an attempt to break Khan’s support base and suppress anti-government sentiment. Others, like Bolo Bhi’s Usama Khilji, see it as part of a broader pattern of political persecution, with Khan’s PTI facing systematic repression, including disqualification from upcoming elections and arrests of party leaders.
Election and Political Repression
Imran Khan’s PTI was barred from contesting the 2024 national elections, with many party members arrested. Despite this, PTI candidates won the most seats as independents.
Khan’s supporters believe that the restrictions and legal challenges are meant to intimidate opposition voices and send a warning to other politicians. As Khan remains a symbol of resistance for much of Pakistan’s population, the political landscape continues to be tense amid allegations of judicial manipulation and military influence.
As Pakistan’s political crisis deepens, the world watches closely to see how authorities will address the concerns surrounding Imran Khan’s detention and the broader struggle for democratic accountability.
Link to Article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/3/why-jail-access-to-pakistans-imran-khan-has-caused-a-political-storm