Rift between PTI and Imran Khan’s family out in open: Aleema Khan questions leaders’ absence in ex-PM’s court battles

Aleema Khanum, sister of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan, speaks to the media following Khan's 14-year jail sentence in a land corruption case, outside Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, January 17, 2025. REUTERS/Salahuddin

Imran Khan’s sister Aleema criticized PTI’s handling of his health and legal matters, saying family and doctors should decide his care. She noted PTI leaders’ absence and said Khan wants independent review of his medical reports, exposing party tensions.

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Public signs of strain have surfaced between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and the family of its jailed founder Imran Khan, after his sister Aleema Khan openly questioned the party’s handling of his medical condition and legal follow-up.

In a strongly worded statement, Aleema Khan asserted that decisions regarding Imran Khan’s health rest exclusively with his family and doctors, not with the party leadership.

“The mandate to make decisions about Imran Khan’s health does not lie with the party; it is the mandate of his family and his doctors,” she said.

Family says it was kept in the dark on medical care

Aleema Khan revealed that the family had pressed for Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital based on medical advice.

“Our doctors had advised transferring Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital. He has not received any treatment yet; he was only examined in jail. We were kept in the dark,” she alleged.

She also raised concerns about alleged interference in the medical process.

“We were saying Shifa International for that reason because we had learned that the agency’s men had reached the doctors and were pressuring them,” Aleema said.

Sharp questions for PTI leadership

Aleema Khan directly challenged PTI’s senior leadership, questioning their absence from key legal proceedings.

“Where is Hameed Khan? Where is Ali Bukhari? Where is Latif Khosa? Where is Barrister Ali Zafar? Where is Barrister Gohar, who was so worried about Imran Khan’s health?” she asked.

She added, “He is the party’s chairman, so why doesn’t he stand up in the courts for Imran Khan’s cases?”

Message from jail raises fresh concerns

Aleema also disclosed that Imran Khan had conveyed a message from jail seeking independent scrutiny of his medical reports.

“Imran Khan has sent a message from jail that my blood test report should be checked by my doctors. Now we ask the party what have you done about this? Where should we go now?” she said.

The remarks indicate growing frustration within the family over what they see as a lack of decisive action by PTI on issues directly affecting Khan’s health and legal rights.

Analysts point to pressure on PTI leadership

According to intelligence inputs and political assessments cited by CNN-News18, there are indications that PTI’s second-tier leadership may be under pressure to avoid overt alignment with Imran Khan’s family on sensitive matters such as his medical treatment.

Analysts quoted by CNN-News18 believe subtle coercive messaging may be aimed at ensuring the party continues to function organisationally while avoiding escalation around Khan or his relatives.

They assess that this could be part of a broader effort by Pakistan’s establishment to gradually reshape PTI from an Imran Khan-centric resistance movement into a more controllable political entity, particularly as Khan’s health becomes a mobilising issue for supporters.

PTI silent as tensions surface

PTI has not officially responded to Aleema Khan’s remarks so far. However, the public airing of grievances by Imran Khan’s sister underscores possible internal tensions at a crucial moment for the party.

With Imran Khan incarcerated and facing multiple legal battles, questions over decision-making authority, leadership cohesion and the party’s willingness to confront sensitive issues could have significant implications for PTI’s political strategy in the months ahead.