The sons of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, Kasim and Sulaiman, have said their father is being kept in isolation in prison, calling it “clear torture tactics.” In an interview with journalist Mehdi Hasan, they described harsh conditions, including a cramped six-foot-by-eight-inch cell, murky water for washing, and poor-quality food.
The brothers said court-mandated weekly calls have largely been blocked during Imran’s more than two-year imprisonment. Sulaiman last spoke to him at the end of July, while Kasim managed a six-minute conversation in September. They also recalled meeting him in November 2022 following an assassination attempt on the former premier.
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Kasim and Sulaiman rejected claims that Imran was treated “like a prince” in jail. They said guards are prohibited from speaking to him to enforce complete isolation. Sulaiman emphasized that despite limited contact, his father remains vocal against military leadership and continues to act according to his character.
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The government dismissed the allegations, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi saying Imran enjoys designated living quarters, gym facilities, outdoor space, and a personal cook. Zaidi added that the former premier’s children may visit Pakistan, but authorities will prevent political exploitation during the trip.
Read more: “Respect democracy,” Imran Khan’s sons urge Pakistan
The brothers also revealed plans to travel to Pakistan in January and highlighted prior meetings with U.S. officials regarding their father’s release. Human rights groups and UN officials have previously expressed concern over Imran’s detention conditions, warning they may amount to inhuman or degrading treatment.