Qasim and Suleiman Khan plan Pakistan visit but fear they may never see their father
The sons of former prime minister Imran Khan have expressed deep fears that they may never see their father again, as they described his imprisonment conditions as inhumane and akin to a “death cell,” directly contradicting claims by the government that the PTI founder is being treated normally.
‘We Are Worried We Might Never See Him Again’
In an emotional interview with Sky News, Qasim and Suleiman Khan confirmed they have applied for Pakistani visas and are planning to visit Pakistan in January, following public assurances by cabinet ministers that they will be allowed entry.
“We are now planning to because they said it openly,” Qasim Khan said. “So unless they go against their word, we should hopefully be going in January. But we are worried we might never see him again.”
The London-based brothers have been actively advocating for their father, who was ousted through a no-confidence vote in 2022 and has been imprisoned since August 2023 in cases widely described by PTI as politically motivated.
‘No Deal, No Escape’
Rejecting speculation of any political compromise, Qasim Khan said there was no possibility that Imran Khan would accept a deal in exchange for his freedom.
“If he just took a deal and lived in England, there would always be a burning feeling that he had left his country behind,” he said. “He has a purpose far greater than personal comfort. You can only respect that.”
‘Death Cell’ and Inhumane Conditions
The brothers painted a grim picture of Imran Khan’s detention, citing accounts shared by family members who were granted rare and restricted access.
“The jail cell has been described to us as a death cell,” Suleiman Khan said.
“The conditions are awful,” Qasim added. “Barely any light, electricity cut off at times, dirty water, completely substandard conditions that do not meet international laws for any prisoner.”
They called for international pressure and independent monitoring, stressing that ensuring basic human rights was their only demand.
Isolation by Design?
When asked why they believe authorities are keeping their father isolated, both brothers answered in unison: “Popularity.”
They argued that Imran Khan’s continued public support poses a political threat, making isolation a deliberate strategy rather than a security necessity.
Government Pushback Raises More Questions
The government, however, offered a sharply contrasting version of events. PM Shehbaz Sharif’s spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi dismissed claims of solitary confinement, stating that Imran Khan has had hundreds of visitors, including lawyers and family members.
“This doesn’t sound like solitary confinement to me,” Zaidi said, citing figures that PTI strongly disputes.
He also justified a recent three-and-a-half-week suspension of visits by claiming that meetings were turning into political discussions—an argument critics say amounts to criminalising speech and family contact.
Notably, when asked whether the government views Imran Khan as a threat, Zaidi replied “Absolutely,” a statement PTI supporters see as confirmation that the former premier is being punished not for crimes, but for challenging the status quo.
UN Warning Cannot Be Ignored
The family’s concerns echo warnings by a United Nations Special Rapporteur, who recently cautioned that Imran Khan’s detention conditions could amount to inhuman or degrading treatment under international law, concerns the government has dismissed as being based on “bad information.”
For PTI and its supporters, the conflicting narratives raise a fundamental question: why is the state so defensive if nothing is wrong?
As Imran Khan remains behind bars and his sons prepare a risky journey driven by fear rather than certainty, the growing gulf between official claims and family testimony continues to fuel outrage, mistrust, and demands for accountability.