Islamabad: Speculation over former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wellbeing has intensified after unverified social media reports claimed he had died in custody. Khan, serving a 14-year prison sentence, is held in Adiala Jail, where authorities maintain he is safe and receiving proper care.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and Khan’s family have accused police of blocking access to him. Three of his sisters alleged they were physically assaulted outside the jail when seeking a meeting. PTI described the incident as a “brutal assault” and demanded a neutral investigation. The party submitted a formal list of representatives to the jail superintendent and urged the government to ensure transparent access.
Social media accounts, mainly based in Afghanistan, amplified false reports claiming the 72-year-old had been killed. Jail officials dismissed these rumours, insisting Khan is fit and under care. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting earlier labelled similar reports as fake and urged citizens to ignore misleading content.
A sit-in led by Aleema Khan near Adiala Jail ended after police assured that family and party leaders would be allowed to meet the former prime minister. PTI warned that public concern over Khan’s safety would not tolerate ambiguity and called for immediate clarification regarding his health, security, and legal rights.
Khan’s aides allege the Field Marshal and authorities are restricting family access. PTI has vowed to pursue all legal and political measures to dispel misinformation and ensure Khan’s constitutional and human rights are upheld. The episode highlights rising tensions over political prisoners and the role of social media in spreading unverified information in Pakistan.
