Is Imran Khan dead? Adiala jail’s health statement answers the rumours

Adiala jail says Imran Khan is 'fully healthy' and still in custody after death rumours, as his sisters allege assault, denied access and inhumane prison conditions.

A day after rumours claimed Imran Khan had died in custody, authorities at Pakistan’s Adiala jail said the former Prime Minister was 'fully healthy' and still lodged in the prison, according to Geo News.

The administration termed speculation over his health 'baseless' and said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder was receiving 'complete medical attention,' Geo News reported. Khan, jailed since August 2023, has spent more than two years in custody overall in multiple corruption and terrorism-related cases after his ouster in April 2022.

Rumours, denial and a clash at the jail gates

The statement follows a fresh wave of unverified social media posts alleging Khan had died in Adiala, triggering tense protests outside the prison and a late-night face-off between police and his sisters.

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Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif claimed Khan was enjoying far better conditions than earlier political prisoners. “Check the menu of the food that comes for him, it is not available even in a five-star hotel,” he said, adding that Khan had access to television, exercise machines, a double bed and a 'velvet mattress', as per Geo News. Asif contrasted this with his own time in jail, saying he slept on cold floors, ate standard prison food and had no hot water.

Khan’s family has repeatedly alleged the opposite, that he is being held in solitary confinement in 'inhumane conditions' and that his health and safety are at risk. His sisters and sons say family access has been restricted and scheduled meetings have been denied without explanation.

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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.

As night fell, police moved in to disperse the crowd. Videos circulating online showed chaotic scenes as officers surrounded the area.

“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.

The PTI called the episode 'state brutality' and alleged the lights outside the jail were switched off and the area flooded with water before police moved in. Aleema directly blamed army chief General Asim Munir for the crackdown, while a senior PTI leader said authorities were trying to “break us psychologically by attacking the family”.