‘Where’s the humanity?’: Imran Khan’s sons fear for jailed ex-Pakistan PM

By Sunniya Ahmad Pirzada. Published On 28 Aug 202628 Aug 2026.

Key points

• Backing for Khan's release has come from the United Nations, Amnesty International, politicians in Washington and London, and 21 former cricket captains.
• The Pakistani ministry additionally denied claims that Khan has been isolated or denied contact, saying, Records show approximately 198 interview sessions involving more than 900 visitor entries.
• The last time they spoke to Imran Khan, the imprisoned former prime minister of Pakistan and cricket legend, was over Eid al-Fitr in March.
• Three years have passed since Khan, 73, was imprisoned in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail.
• London, United Kingdom – Sulaiman and Kasim Khan have not heard their father's voice in almost six months.

Meanwhile, the last time they spoke to Imran Khan, the imprisoned former prime minister of Pakistan and cricket legend, was over Eid al-Fitr in March. The call lasted 20 minutes.

We don't know how much time we have to speak, Kasim, 27, informed Al Jazeera in London. Usually it's around the 20-minute mark. He frantically asks regarding our lives and gives us advice. But when we ask regarding him, he highly rapidly shuts it down. He doesn't seem to want to talk too much regarding how he is. You know, it is what it is, Kasim recalled him saying.

Three years have passed since Khan, 73, was imprisoned in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail. He has faced more than 100 legal cases since his 2022 ouster in a vote of no confidence, including charges of bribery, leaking state secrets and illegally selling state gifts. He denies all of the accusations against him.

All of his convictions but one have been suspended or overturned, with appeals pending.

Khan's family and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party believe the charges are politically motivated.

Two of his sisters, Uzma and Noreen, were lately allowed to see him. They remarked it was the first visit they had had in months.

"They were both quite disturbed by how agitated he was. He's been mentally tortured with this solitary confinement, " Sulaiman, 29, remarked.

"His heart rate spikes considerably in his cell. He's having palpitations due to severe anxiety, " remarked Kasim. "He's the most calm, mentally solid person I've ever known by a considerable margin. To hear he's facing anxiety, it's unfathomable."

Khan's lawyers documented in February that he had lost 85 percent of the vision in his right eye.

"He was still wearing an eye patch when he saw our aunt the other day, " Sulaiman remarked. "For 10 months he wasn't allowed any visitors. Apart from that brief visit from his sisters, none of the other orders have been followed."

Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in an official note sent to Al Jazeera, rejected the family's allegations, that Khan has been denied appropriate medical care "or that the government failed to comply with the directions of the Honourable Supreme Court regarding his medical examination".

"Health matters" should not be politicised, the statement continued, adding that the administration "has never adopted a disrespectful attitude towards anyone's health".

On August 18, a three-judge Supreme Court bench ruled that Khan be moved to the private Shifa International Hospital within two days, that he be granted weekly family visits and twice-weekly calls with his sons, and ordered that his personal physician and sister, both doctors, be allowed to take part in his medical care. Earlier, a cardiac board review discovered Khan had fluctuating blood pressure and anxiety, attributed to limited contact with his family.

But he was instead taken to a administration hospital, PIMS, for a brief check-up before returning to jail on August 20. Khan's party has since filed a contempt petition.

"These government doctors are essentially told what to say, " remarked Sulaiman. "We want him independently checked, so we have proof. What are they hiding?"

"The establishment at present has absolute power. Any efforts by the Supreme Court seem ineffective, " remarked Kasim. "We're just trying to make as much noise as possible."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting remarked reports of Khan's ill health were "not supported by prison or medical records".

It remarked Khan has undergone 30 medical examinations since his imprisonment began "in addition to regular examinations by the prison doctor" and that doctors had lately concluded that he appears "oriented, stable and without any recorded acute or unmanaged deterioration". Backing from the UN to cricketers.

"We're hoping the UK could make a difference, " remarked Kasim. "Our father lived here a long time, and he's always spoken very highly of England."

Their mother, Khan's ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith, has called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband for support, saying Khan has "endured three years of solitary confinement" in what has become a "human rights emergency".

According to She, their sons, who are British citizens, have been denied visas and cautioned they risked arrest if they travelled to see Khan, calling the situation "a human-rights emergency."

Khan's sons last met him in November 2022 after an attempted assassination on his life.

"We have plans, but we can't disclose exactly what they are, because anything we say publicly is often very quickly intercepted by those in Pakistan, " Kasim remarked.

"Now is the toughest time, the bleakest it's looked. But at least there's more attention now, " Sulaiman continued. "We're lucky to have good friends and a strong family unit who keep us sane."

Notably, the Pakistani ministry additionally denied claims that Khan has been isolated or denied contact, saying, "Records show approximately 198 interview sessions involving more than 900 visitor entries. These include his sisters, family members, lawyers, doctors, political representatives and other approved visitors."

It described his prison conditions as humane, saying the facilities allow for "sleeping, sanitation and exercise".

"He receives separately prepared meals, including meat, chicken, fruit, milk, nuts, juices and bottled water, " it remarked. "At the same time, access to a prisoner cannot be used as a platform for unrestricted political communication or political activity from inside prison."

Khan had kept his sons out of the limelight and neither sought a life in front of the cameras.

Kasim remarked he holds the administration responsible for their father's deteriorating health.

"Where is the humanity in not allowing someone to receive basic health checks or treatment? It's the pettiness, the petty torture techniques, not allowing him to have books, phone calls with his children, keeping him for 23 hours in an isolated cell, " he asks.

"If they reject any claims of mistreatment, prove it. Bring him to an unbiased doctor and hospital, and show the medical reports. It puts our minds at ease, and demonstrates the residents of Pakistan that their elected leader is healthy." But he continues to believe in his father's strength.

"If there's hope that anyone can remain resilient through this period, it's him, even though it's so brutal in these conditions, " remarked the younger brother.

Taken together, the developments around 'Where's the humanity?': Imran Khan's sons fear for jailed ex point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.