Desk: Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has been enduring inhumane treatment behind bars for nearly two years. In Adiala Jail, the treatment he is receiving is not only barbaric but also raises serious questions about humanity. For the first time, his sons Suleiman and Kasim Khan have publicly narrated their father’s painful ordeal to the world. They accused the Shahbaz Sharif government of serious allegations, stating that their father is not allowed to meet anyone or talk on the phone. The sons appealed to the international community to pay attention to Imran Khan’s condition. Meanwhile, a special court in Islamabad has rebuked the jail administration, issuing a crucial decision.
Court Rebukes Jail Administration in Imran’s Case
On Tuesday, the Islamabad special court ordered that Imran Khan be allowed to speak with his sons abroad over the phone and also granted him the facility to undergo a health checkup by his private doctor. The court made it clear that these orders are in accordance with human rights and the law, and cannot be disregarded.
It is noteworthy that last month, Imran Khan had filed two petitions in court — one for permission to talk to his sons over the phone and the other demanding a health checkup by a private doctor. Justice Shahrukh Arjmand approved both petitions and demanded answers from the jail administration as to why these essential facilities were denied to him until now.
In response, the jail superintendent submitted a report to the court on Monday, arguing that the court orders passed in January and February were “contrary to the spirit of jail rules and the constitution” and requested their cancellation. However, the court dismissed this argument outright, stating that the decisions made on January 10, 28, and February 3 were passed after careful consideration of all legal aspects and there is no solid basis for their cancellation. The court directed the jail superintendent to fully comply with these orders and postponed the next hearing until next Wednesday.
This decision comes just a day before Imran Khan’s sons, 28-year-old Suleiman Khan and 26-year-old Kasim Khan, appeared in a rare public appeal. They revealed that they have been unable to speak with their father for several months. Imran Khan has been in Adiala Jail since August 2023, serving a sentence after being convicted of corruption involving billions of rupees. Additionally, he faces several cases related to nationwide violent demonstrations on May 9, 2023, under terrorism laws.