Imran Khan ‘tortured’, kept in solitary confinement, alleges family; Sharif’s aide insists he is ‘fit and fine’ | Top updates

(FILES) Activists of PTI party chant slogans during a protest demanding the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, near the Adiala prison in Rawalpindi on August 5, 2025. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP)

The mounting suspicion and concern over the life and health of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan has snowballed into a major political and civil flashpoint, exposing what critics describe as the Pakistani state’s increasingly authoritarian and opaque handling of high-profile political prisoners. From allegations of torture and solitary confinement to defiance of court orders and denial of family access, the situation inside Adiala Jail has triggered outrage within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and renewed scrutiny from international media.

Amid rising alarm, party sources told CNN-News18 that Imran Khan is being kept in near-complete isolation inside Adiala jail and subjected to brutal treatment. According to these sources, the PTI founder has been beaten and placed under high-intensity confinement, with sustained pressure and restricted communication contributing to a slow deterioration of his physical condition.

Khan has reportedly had no meaningful contact with his family or legal team for weeks, a situation PTI insiders have described as deliberate and punitive. His sister Aleema Khanum voiced serious concerns during an exclusive phone interview with CNN-News18, questioning the motives behind the authorities’ refusal to allow family visits.

“Why aren’t they letting us meet him? Why create this attention? It would be so simple if they allowed him to meet his family and party workers," she said.

Although she expressed faith that the Pakistani establishment would not physically harm him, her words underscored the growing pressure on the state. “They wouldn’t. People would turn on them. People will not spare them and they won’t find a flight out of the country."

She warned that public anger was approaching a breaking point. “It is only a matter of time before the anger among Pakistani citizens over the treatment of former prime minister Imran Khan spilled onto the streets," she said, adding that protests were inevitable. “It’s [street demonstrations] are going to happen. It’s not a matter of if but when. And it’s all leading toward the same thing…And when the agitations begin, they won’t be able to stop them."

Despite court directions permitting access, no one has reportedly been allowed to meet Khan since late October. His sisters have now moved the High Court seeking immediate permission to see him, while PTI leaders continue to accuse jail authorities of acting above the law.

The party claims that earlier visits by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi were used to downplay Khan’s condition. “He was masking the real situation inside the prison," sources stated.

According to PTI, the denial of access is not merely procedural but part of a broader effort to suppress any transparency around Khan’s treatment and condition.

The situation escalated when KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi staged an overnight sit-in outside Adiala Jail after being denied a meeting for the eighth consecutive time. Dawn reported that the protest included members of the KP cabinet and that PTI workers held Fajr prayers outside the prison.

Afridi later announced he would approach the Islamabad High Court, condemning the treatment of Khan’s family. Referring to a recent incident involving Khan’s sisters, he said, “You have seen their condition yourself; they were grabbed by their hair and disrespected."

He accused authorities of using deliberate tactics to “break the spirit" of the former prime minister and alleged that even Bushra Bibi was being targeted. “Who is a pious woman," Afridi said, adding that these actions were intended to “break" Imran.

He also criticised the broader treatment of KP, stating, “A province is being treated like a stepmother," and said such humiliation of a leader representing 25 million people was unacceptable.

Former aide Zulfi Bukhari told Dawn that no one had seen Imran since November 4 and that no explanation had been given for repeated denials of access.

As rumours of Khan’s death and failing health spread online, Pakistan’s Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Senator Rana Sanaullah, moved to counter the narrative.

“Imran Khan is fit and fine. All rumours regarding his death are fake," Sanaullah said, accusing PTI of misleading citizens through social media.

He insisted that a medical team checks Khan regularly. “There is a team of doctors that checks him on a weekly and daily basis [and looks after his] medicine, diet, facilities and exercises," he claimed.

Sanaullah also accused Khan of orchestrating unrest from within jail. “Imran is misleading people using social media accounts. He has attacked Islamabad twice with protests, but now the government will not allow them to call protests from jail."

However, these statements have done little to calm public suspicion or offset claims from family members who insist there is “zero transparency" around his condition.

Khan’s younger son Kasim Khan has repeatedly raised alarm, claiming his father is being kept in “really poor conditions" that are worsening rapidly. In a message posted on X, he painted a stark picture of isolation.

“For the past six weeks, he (Imran) has been kept in solitary confinement in a death cell with zero transparency. His sisters have been denied every visit, even with clear court orders allowing access. There have been no phone calls, no meetings and no proof of life. Me and my brother have had no contact with our father."

PTI sources say concerns intensified after reports that Khan might be shifted to a high-security detention block, further reducing any chance of contact.

Speaking outside the Islamabad High Court, Sohail Afridi accused Adiala Jail officials and federal authorities of openly violating court orders. “They Are Not Allowing Meetings Since 27 October," he said.

Afridi stressed that nobody had been permitted to meet Khan, including family, lawyers and doctors. “We don’t know about Imran Khan as no meetings happened with lawyers, doctors, party leaders and family," he said.

He added that even assurances of avoiding political discussion did not move the administration. “Despite assurances of no political talks, jail administration didn’t allow meeting."

Afridi warned that continued obstruction would force PTI into mass protests. “We will resist and lead movement," he declared, also highlighting that international media had begun raising serious concerns. “International media is running news about Imran Khan. We just want to know the health of Imran Khan."

He further alleged personal targeting, claiming, “They (Pak Govt & Military Establishment) have blocked my passport and not doing fair to us."

Calling out the judiciary, he said, “Islamabad High Court Chief Justice is not meeting us and the court is not giving any relief to PTI," and appealed to legal institutions for intervention. “We appeal to judges and the legal community to raise a voice for justice."

Imran Khan has been in custody since August 2023, serving a 14-year sentence in a graft case, but the continued secrecy, denial of access and allegations of physical abuse raise disturbing questions about Pakistan’s commitment to rule of law and basic human rights.

As protests intensify and frustration builds across party ranks and civil society, the crisis surrounding Khan’s treatment has become not just a personal tragedy but a glaring indictment of Pakistan’s political and judicial machinery. The refusal to allow transparency, combined with heavy-handed suppression of dissent, is steadily pushing the country toward further instability and public unrest, with consequences the authorities appear either unwilling or incapable of controlling.