E-Paper
'No proof of life': Imran Khan's son makes appeal as death rumours go viral
Imran Khan's son said his father has been detained for 845 days, and for the last six weeks has been kept in solitary confinement “in a death cell”.
Imran Khan’s son, Kasim Khan, has issued a sharp public appeal over his father’s treatment in prison, alleging that the 73-year-old leader has been held in solitary confinement for weeks with no family access and no transparency from authorities. His remarks come amid intensifying criticism from Khan’s family, party leaders and provincial officials over what they describe as an “undeclared blackout” and suppression surrounding the former prime minister’s condition inside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.
There have also been rumours on social media that Imran Khan has been killed in prison. The rumours surfaced and spread like wildfire after a handle called ‘Afghanistan Times’ claimed that credible sources said that the former Pakistan PM had been "murdered" in Adiala Jail.
The claims have not been confirmed by any credible agency or department, and have also been categorically denied by the prison authorities.
Kasim Khan alleges ‘death cell’ confinement
In a post on X, Kasim Khan said his father has been detained for 845 days, and for the last six weeks has been kept in solitary confinement “in a death cell,” with authorities refusing all visits despite court orders.
According to him, Khan’s sisters have been repeatedly denied access, while his sons have had “no contact” and “no proof of life”.
“This absolute blackout is not a security protocol. It is a deliberate attempt to hide his condition,” he wrote, warning that the Pakistani government and “its handlers” would be held accountable.
He urged global human-rights organisations and democratic governments to intervene, demanding immediate proof of life and an end to the “inhumane isolation” of what he called Pakistan’s “most popular political leader”.
Sister Noreen Niazi alleges extreme media censorship
Imran Khan’s sister Noreen Niazi accused the Pakistan government of enforcing a harsh environment of censorship. Speaking to ANI, she claimed journalists and media owners were being detained and “oppressed” into silence.
“Censorship in Pakistan is so extreme that they apprehend media people… They oppress them so much that when they are let out, they’re not even allowed to speak,” she said, adding that well-known journalists have fled the country with their passports and properties blocked.
Drawing a historical parallel, she said, “We used to hear and read about Hitler… the same thing is happening in Pakistan.”
Niazi also criticised the Shehbaz Sharif government as “extremely unpopular,” alleging election rigging and describing the administration as weak and oppressive.
She expressed little hope of international intervention, claiming Western governments were aware of “fraud” in Pakistan but would not act.
PTI leadership escalates pressure
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Sohail Afridi staged a dharna near Adiala Jail on Thursday after being denied a meeting with Imran Khan for the eighth time. He and accompanying Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers were stopped by police before reaching the prison.
Afridi accused authorities of defying court orders and questioned why a representative of “25 million people” was being blocked, calling it a “dangerous precedent”. He claimed even Khan’s sisters, lawyers and doctors were being denied access.
PTI leaders, including Zulfi Bukhari and Meher Bano Qureshi, reiterated concerns, demanding that the government issue a clear, transparent statement on Khan’s health and immediately allow family visits.
Jail authorities reject rumours; insist Khan is healthy
Adiala Jail officials, however, dismissed allegations of mistreatment or declining health, calling widespread social-media speculation “baseless”.
Authorities said Khan was in “completely good health,” receiving all necessary care, and had not been transferred out of the facility.
They reiterated that reports of a move or any medical emergency were unfounded.
Rumours had surged online after unverified posts and foreign social-media handles falsely claimed Imran Khan had died inside the prison - claims not confirmed by any credible source.
Concerns intensified after Khan’s three sisters - Noreen Niazi, Aleema Khan and Dr Uzma Khan - said they faced “brutal and orchestrated” police action while peacefully protesting outside Adiala Jail last week. They alleged that streetlights were switched off before they were dragged, assaulted, and dispersed.
Niazi claimed she was pulled by the hair and thrown to the ground, sustaining injuries. The sisters had been staging sit-ins after being denied meetings with Khan for over a month.
Adiala Jail falls under the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. She has said she has “no control” over Khan’s meetings, while Khan had previously alleged that an army colonel was overseeing jail matters.
