Imran Khan's Health Rumors Debunked by Adiala Jail Amidst Political Turmoil
Reports swirling around the health and whereabouts of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan have been unequivocally dismissed by Adiala Jail authorities. On Wednesday, officials in Rawalpindi confirmed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder remains incarcerated at the facility, asserting his "full health" and access to comprehensive medical attention.
This clarification comes amidst rampant social media speculation, much of it originating from Pakistan and Afghanistan, suggesting Khan had been harmed or even killed in prison. The jail administration staunchly refuted any claims of Khan's deteriorating condition or an unannounced transfer, labeling such reports as "baseless."
Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023, facing a myriad of charges including corruption and terrorism, following his removal from office via a no-confidence vote in April 2022.
Defense Minister Claims "Five-Star Treatment"
Adding another layer to the narrative, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif presented a starkly different picture of Khan's detainment. Asif claimed that the former premier enjoys comforts far exceeding those of previous inmates. "Check the menu of the food that comes for him — it is not available even in a five-star hotel," Asif was quoted as saying by Geo TV.
He further detailed that Khan benefits from amenities like a television, exercise equipment, a double bed, and a velvet mattress. Drawing on his own past incarceration, Asif lamented, "We slept on cold floors, ate jail food, and had only two blankets in January with no hot water," suggesting PTI leaders were exaggerating Khan's plight. He urged caution, stating, "Fear God — no one owns time."
Family Alleges "Brutal and Orchestrated Assault" Outside Prison
However, these assurances are set against a backdrop of escalating tensions. Rumors gained significant traction following allegations last week that Khan's three sisters were assaulted by police outside Adiala Jail while attempting to visit him. Noreen Niazi, one of the sisters, described a "brutal and orchestrated assault."
She stated that they were peacefully protesting concerns over Khan’s health when streetlights were "abruptly switched off," plunging the area into darkness, before Punjab police personnel allegedly attacked them. Niazi recounted being "seized by my hair, thrown violently to the ground, and dragged across the road" at the age of 71, sustaining visible injuries. "We neither blocked roads nor obstructed public movement, nor engaged in any unlawful conduct," she emphasized, detailing the unprovoked nature of the alleged attack.
Visitation Restrictions Fuel Public Outcry
In response to the alleged assault and perceived restrictions, thousands of PTI supporters converged outside the prison, demanding visitation rights and protesting what they describe as a government-imposed ban on meeting Khan for over a month. Earlier attempts by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to meet Khan were also reportedly denied multiple times, a decision the PTI attributes to interference from security forces. The ongoing situation highlights deep political divisions and heightened public concern surrounding the former Prime Minister's detention.