Sulaiman Khan, the son of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, has accused Pakistan’s government of endangering his father’s life in custody. In a series of posts on X, he said prison authorities had ignored a Supreme Court order for medical assessment and treatment at Shifa International Hospital and had cut the family off from regular contact.
Family cut off since August
Sulaiman said relatives had neither seen nor heard from Imran Khan since August. That was when, he alleged, the former premier told them he was being tortured and feared that officials were trying to kill him.
He described his father’s health as worsening under what he called inhumane prison conditions. “His health is deteriorating because of the inhumane treatment he has been subjected to in prison,” he wrote, referring to the former prime minister’s condition.
Court order and medical access
According to Sulaiman, the Supreme Court in August directed that Imran Khan be assessed and treated at Shifa International Hospital and that family members and lawyers be given regular access. He alleged that those directions have not been followed.
He also pointed to the United Nations special rapporteur on torture—an independent UN expert who monitors cruel treatment—saying the official had repeatedly described his father’s prison treatment as amounting to torture.
Sulaiman said Imran Khan was in exceptionally good physical shape when he was jailed about three years ago, even after surviving an assassination attempt in which he was shot in the leg. He voiced fear that if his father’s health collapsed, officials might later blame natural causes or old age.
Warning over custody and foreign ties
He warned that the government would be held responsible if his father died in prison, arguing that authorities feared the former premier because of his popularity. Imran Khan, who was prime minister from 2018 to 2022, remains imprisoned while facing multiple legal cases. His supporters have long raised concerns about his health and access to lawyers.
Sulaiman also criticised foreign governments that continue to deal with Pakistan’s current leadership, saying such engagement sits poorly alongside stated support for democracy and human rights. The claims were made on social media; his posts did not include any reply from the authorities.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 2018–2022: Imran Khan served as Pakistan’s prime minister.
- About three years ago: He was imprisoned and, according to Sulaiman, was then in strong physical condition despite an earlier assassination attempt injury to his leg.
- August: Sulaiman says the Supreme Court ordered medical assessment and treatment at Shifa International Hospital and regular family and lawyer access; the family last heard from Imran Khan then, when he allegedly reported torture and feared for his life.
- Recent days: Sulaiman repeated the accusations on X, citing the UN special rapporteur on torture and warning of government responsibility if his father dies in custody.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Sulaiman Khan ne kaha hai ke unke walid Imran Khan ki jail mein jaan khatre mein hai. Family August se un se mil nahi saki aur na hi baat ho saki. Unka kehna hai ke Supreme Court ne Shifa Hospital mein ilaj ka hukum diya tha, magar us par amal nahi hua. Agar kuch ghalat hota hai to woh hukumat ko zimmedar thairayenge.
