Imran Khan’s sons seek permission to visit father, voice fears over health in jail

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s sons have expressed concern over their father’s deteriorating health in Adiala jail and said they are seeking permission to visit him, urging authorities to grant access after more than two years apart.

Imran’s lawyer told the Supreme Court last week that the former prime minister had lost significant vision in his right eye while in custody. A medical board on Monday reported that swelling had reduced after treatment and his vision had improved.

Speaking to Reuters in London, where they are based, Imran’s sons, Kasim and Sulaiman, aged 26 and 29, said they were uncertain about the medical report. They added that they spoke to their father on Thursday for the first time since September.

They said Imran usually avoids discussing his health, but during the call he expressed frustration, saying he had been denied treatment for his eye for several months.

“It’s hard not to feel low at times because we’ve been away from him so long,” Kasim said, adding that his father should be moved to a proper medical facility and allowed access to his private doctors.

Authorities have maintained that medical procedures are under way and have rejected opposition claims of neglect. The Supreme Court has sought further details regarding Imran’s treatment.

Imran, 73, has been jailed since August 2023 after convictions that he and his party describe as politically motivated. Since his ouster through a no-confidence vote in April 2022, he has faced multiple cases, including those linked to state gifts and an unlawful marriage.

Some convictions have been suspended or overturned, with appeals still pending, while Imran denies any wrongdoing.

Kasim and Sulaiman were raised in Britain after Imran’s divorce from their mother, filmmaker Jemima Goldsmith. They said they have not seen their father since November 2022, after he survived an assassination attempt.

They added that they applied for visas last month but have yet to receive a response. The Pakistani embassy in London and the foreign ministry did not immediately comment.

Kasim said their immediate concern was Imran’s health, but also highlighted broader issues, including his freedom, human rights protections and ensuring a fair trial.

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Meanwhile, PTI retains strong support across key provinces. For four days, party supporters have blocked major highways linking Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Punjab, stranding thousands of vehicles and affecting fuel and food supplies in some areas.

Asked for a message to supporters, Kasim urged them to “keep faith and keep fighting,” saying it was the same message they were holding on to.