RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan is “completely healthy”, his sister Uzma Khan said on Tuesday after meeting him at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, dispelling weeks of speculation over his condition.
Speaking to reporters outside the prison, Uzma said she would share a detailed update after consulting her sisters, Aleema Khan and Noreen Khan. The visit came shortly after authorities permitted her to see the jailed PTI leader — a demand the party and family had repeatedly made amid concerns over his well-being.
PTI had earlier warned of a protest outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC), followed by a march to Adiala Jail, accusing authorities of violating court orders by blocking access to Khan. Officials defended the restrictions, citing security concerns and alleging that visitors discussed political matters with the former prime minister.
Claims of Solitary Confinement
Later in the day, Uzma reiterated that Khan was physically fine but had been denied any meetings for the past four weeks. She further claimed that Bushra Bibi, also in custody, was being kept in solitary confinement.
Her sister Aleema, speaking separately at Factory Naka, alleged that Imran Khan had spent a full month in solitary confinement, criticising what she described as excessive security measures.
“They have deployed half of Punjab’s police here,” she said. “We cannot understand what they are so afraid of.”
Aleema added that the family insists on meeting Khan in accordance with court orders — six family members every Tuesday and six party leaders every Thursday.
Political and Legal Developments
Uzma also stated that Hamid Khan and Salman Akram Raja would oversee candidate selection for upcoming bar council elections. She urged the government to issue pending notifications appointing Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir as opposition leaders in the National Assembly and Senate, respectively.
She added that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi enjoyed Imran Khan’s full confidence, while accusing authorities of applying the law selectively against PTI.
Tensions Rise as Section 144 Enforced
Ahead of a planned PTI protest, the administrations of Islamabad and Rawalpindi imposed Section 144, banning public gatherings. This followed the repeated denial of meetings even to senior party leaders — including CM Sohail Afridi, who was prevented from seeing Khan for the eighth time late last month despite staging a 16-hour sit-in.
Khan has been detained at Adiala Jail since August 2023, following his removal from office through a no-confidence vote in April 2022.
Family Fears and Speculation
Khan’s sons, who live abroad, have also publicly voiced concerns.
In comments to Reuters, Kasim Khan said the family had not had direct contact with their father for more than three weeks despite court-ordered weekly visits, raising fears that authorities might be hiding a deterioration in his health or a possible transfer to an undisclosed location.
Aleema echoed these concerns, saying authorities appeared unsettled after their sister Noreen spoke to Indian media. She accused the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, of placing “undemocratic” restrictions and misleading the public.
“Meeting our brother is our legal and constitutional right,” she said.
