Imran Khan's sons allege psychological torture in 'death cell': 'May never meet him again'

Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan (Courtesy: Reuters file photo)

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been in prison since August 2023 over corruption charges, is facing psychological torture in a 'death cell'. His sons made the claim while expressing concern they might never be able to see their father again.

"He's been in a solitary confinement cell for over two years. The prison conditions are disgusting ... he is completely isolated from any human contact. We're now worried we might never see him again," Kasim and Sulaiman Khan told Sky News.

The Khan brothers said they have had no contact with the cricketer-turned-politician for months. The conditions, they claim, are getting worse by the day.

"He's had filthy water, he is around inmates who are dying of hepatitis ... It's getting harder to see a route out at this point. We're trying to have faith. But at the same time, right now, the conditions are getting worse," they told Sky News.

"It's very hard to see a way out ... We're now worried we might never see him again," the boys added.

According to Imran Khan's younger son Kasim, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder is being subjected to "psychological torture tactics" as even prison guards are not allowed to communicate with him. The elder one claimed his father allegedly spends 23 hours a day in what he has described as a "death cell".

Imran Khan, who has in the past been shot thrice, is now officially in full isolation, Suleiman said quoting a recent announcement made by an army spokesperson.

He added that his father was being kept in completely substandard conditions that don't meet international law for any prisoner.

Sulaiman and Kasim are Imran Khan's sons from his first marriage with English TV personality Jemima Goldsmith.

Earlier this month, Imran Khan's sister Aleema too alleged that the former premier was being kept in solitary confinement. "We have been coming here for the last eight months. We are not allowed to meet Imran Khan. They are torturing him. He has been kept in illegal isolation. They should end this torture against Imran Khan," she said.

Imran's other sister, Uzma Khanum, was allowed to see her brother on December 2 nearly a month after all communication with him had been cut off.

After their brief meeting, Khanum said Imran Khan appeared physically well but was enduring intense mental pressure. She said that her her brother blamed Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, for the 'psychological torture'.