Amid swirling rumours about former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s health in custody, his sister Aleema Khan has assured that he is safe and not under threat. Speaking to CNN-News18, she dismissed fears about his safety and sharply criticised what she described as an “unprecedented breakdown of Pakistan’s justice system.”
“My brother’s life is not in danger,” she stated, adding, “No one can dare touch my brother,” as she dismissed speculation about his death in custody.
“We have the right to sit on a sidewalk and protest," she said. “But they attacked us. They dragged my sister, who is 71 years old, and she passed out. Young women were beaten. We were dropped a kilometre away from the prison, but we came back."
Aleema Khan said that Imran Khan has been “isolated for at least six weeks,” claiming that authorities have repeatedly obstructed family visits despite court orders allowing access every Tuesday.
She accused officials of defying judicial directives, saying, “They are in contempt of court on everything.” Aleema further alleged that “the justice system has completely collapsed,” adding, “There are good judges, but their autonomy has been withdrawn.”
Must read: Is Imran Khan dead? Adiala jail’s health statement answers the rumours
A day after widespread speculation, officials at Pakistan’s Adiala jail stated that Khan remains in prison and is “fully healthy,” calling the rumours “baseless.” They confirmed he is receiving “complete medical attention.”
Tensions outside Adiala spiked on November 19 after police allegedly dragged and briefly detained Khan’s sisters during a sit-in demanding access. Local media reports said Aleema, Uzma, and Noreen Khan were turned away from a scheduled weekly visit, after which they began a peaceful protest outside the gates.
“She held my arm, dragged me by my legs… Punjab police is behaving like savages,” Noreen Khan told reporters after her release. Aleema alleged officers 'ripped away our chaddors' and said Noreen was 'practically unconscious' at one point.
Imran Khan, who was ousted in April 2022, has been in jail since August 2023. Over the course of more than two years in detention, he has faced multiple corruption and terrorism-related cases.
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