Allegations of “Collective Punishment” Amid Health Concerns
Kasim Khan, son of imprisoned former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, has publicly accused the government of “deliberately blocking” visas for him and his brother, preventing them from traveling to Pakistan to see their father. In a statement on social media platform X, Kasim alleged that their visa applications are being refused, calling it a form of “collective punishment.”
Plea for International Intervention
Kasim stated that his father has been held in “solitary confinement” for 914 days, during which his health has deteriorated without access to independent medical care. “Denying a prisoner treatment is cruel,” he said. He urged international human rights organizations and foreign governments to act “before irreversible harm is done.”
Context of Health Controversy and Legal Battles
The allegations come amid an ongoing controversy over Imran Khan’s health. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder recently underwent an eye procedure at a hospital in Islamabad. His party has accused authorities of withholding details about his medical condition.
Imran Khan, 72, has been incarcerated since August 2023 following multiple convictions, which he and his party maintain are politically motivated. Key cases include:
- The Toshakhana case involving state gifts.
- A 10-year sentence for leaking a diplomatic cable.
- A 14-year sentence in the Al-Qadir Trust graft case.
He faces dozens of other charges, all of which he denies.
Contested Prison Conditions and Access
Imran Khan’s sons have repeatedly claimed their father is being held under “awful” conditions in a ‘death cell’ at Adiala Jail, with restricted communication. They stated that court-mandated contact has not been consistently allowed. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has confirmed a blanket ban on meetings with the incarcerated politician since December 2025.
In contrast, jail authorities have stated that Imran Khan is provided all facilities entitled to a ‘B-Class’ prisoner, including healthcare, tailored meals, and exercise.
Broader Political Implications
The PTI alleges that the legal cases and restrictions on access are part of a campaign to exclude Imran Khan from public life and future elections. The standoff over family visits and medical care continues to highlight the deep political divisions in Pakistan following Khan’s removal from office in 2022.
