Prime Minister’s Advisor on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and senior PTI leaders on Thursday dismissed reports of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ill health, with both sides stating that the PTI founder is “fine and there is nothing wrong with him”.
The PTI demanded a meeting with the jailed leader today, saying the party was concerned about his health as he has been banned from seeing his family and lawyers for more than three weeks. Imran has been in prison since August 2023, serving a 14-year sentence on corruption charges.
His family and members of his party have protested outside Adiala jail in recent days, demanding a meeting. A party delegation visited the prison today to see Imran, but the authorities again denied access.
Amid media reports that the 73-year-old former international cricketer could be moved to a high-security prison to make his meeting more difficult, international media outlets such as Japan Nikkei and the bbc It also covered concern about his status. His well-being became a topic of conversation on social media with the trend “Where is Imran Khan?” It is also a trend in X in the morning. The Home Office did not respond to a request for comment.
Questioned about the controversy in an interview in ARY News On ‘Off the Record’, the Prime Minister’s adviser on political affairs said: “This is absolutely incorrect. His health is fine and he is well cared for. There is a team of doctors who examine him weekly and daily. [and looks after his] medicine, diet, facilities [and] ceremonies.”
He said Imran was getting everything befitting his position and status. Sanaullah also denied reports of Imran’s transfer, saying that nothing of the sort had happened and that he was still present in Adiala jail.
The prime minister’s advisor added that in case of such transfer the court should be informed.
Similarly, PTI Senator Ali Zafar also rubbished the reports in an interview on DawnNewsTV shows ‘Doosra Rukh’.
“Thank God, the news is baseless, but it is even more important after this report that the government immediately give us an opportunity for a meeting so that we can go and see for ourselves,” the PTI leader said, adding that once a meeting is held, they will be able to assure everyone that the PTI founder is fine.
Zafar said the PTI had registered its protest in the Senate and requested Minister of State for Home Affairs Talal Chaudhary to ensure an immediate meeting.
“We believe it is very necessary that a meeting with Imran be facilitated; it has been a month.”
“There was news about Imran Khan, news from India and Afghanistan, attempts were made to spread discord; these reports have been denied. The government cannot harm Imran Khan,” PTI Central Information Secretary Waqas Akram said while talking to Sunrise.
The Minister of State for the Interior, Talal Chaudhary, in an appearance on Geographic news The programme, ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, claimed that jail officials had already provided information about Imran’s health, referring to media reports that circulated earlier in the day.
“These reports are completely false and should not be trusted. They are deliberately spread… this is wrong; his health is completely fine and he is fine.”
The PTI had also increase previous concerns about the health of Imran, who is 73 years old.
Kasim Khan calls on the international community to demand proof of life
Imran’s youngest son Kasim Khan also highlighted in earlier social media posts that his father was imprisoned in “really bad conditions” that were “getting worse by the minute.”
In a post today on
He said “this complete blackout” was not a security protocol but a “deliberate attempt” to conceal his condition and prevent Imran’s family from knowing if he was safe.
“I call on the international community, global human rights organizations and all democratic voices to urgently intervene. Demand proof of life, enforce court-ordered access, end this inhumane isolation and call for the release of Pakistan’s most popular political leader, who is detained solely for political reasons.”
Additional contributions from Reuters.
