Qasim Khan and Suleman Khan, sons of former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, said in an interview that they have applied for a visa to come to Pakistan and plan to arrive in the country in January.
Qasim and Suleman alleged in the interview that their father is being held in a ‘death cell’ in Adiala Jail, where there is barely any light, electricity is switched off periodically, and water is scarce. They said that these conditions are not in line with international laws for any prisoner and are causing severe mental stress.
The interview came at a time when Imran Khan’s sisters staged a sit-in outside the prison against the lack of visits, which was dispersed by the authorities with water cannons. Qasim and Suleman said that after their mother’s death, Imran Khan had given his grandmother, Lady Annabelle Goldsmith, the status of a mother and that he had a very close relationship with her, about which he remained worried even in prison.
When asked in an interview what he would discuss in a meeting with Imran Khan, Qasim said, “This is his life and his passion is to make Pakistan free from corruption. If he makes a deal and goes out, he will always feel that he has left his country to its fate.” He added that his father’s only purpose in life is to improve Pakistan and he will not abandon this goal under any circumstances.
Suleman Khan said that the conditions in the prison are extremely substandard and appalling, and the arrangements there are not up to the standards of any international prisoner. He said that the rumors about his father’s death on social media are causing a lot of mental stress, and at such times, he feels helpless.
Qasim and Suleman said that their sister Uzma Khanum was recently allowed to meet after a post against the military leadership surfaced on Imran Khan’s X account, which was linked to their father’s instructions. They said that after that, the authorities tried to further isolate their father.
The sons made it clear that they are ready to do everything possible to secure their father’s release and better conditions, however, they are currently deeply concerned about the situation in prison and are focusing on taking steps to ensure their father’s safety and well-being.
