On October 15, 2024, Imran Khan’s personal physician, Dr. Asim Hussain, was denied entry to Adiala Jail, intensifying concerns over the former prime minister’s health. Dr. Hussain, who also serves as the CEO of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, had arrived at the jail to conduct a medical check-up on Khan, due to his deteriorating conditions. Despite repeated attempts to secure access, he was not permitted to see his patient. Rumors of mistreatment and Khan’s deteriorating condition had fueled PTI’s protests, which were called off after the government assured them to allow proper medical care. However, this latest denial has intensified fears over Khan’s well-being.
Dr. Hussain reportedly waited outside the jail for several hours but was ultimately turned away. PTI officials, including senior leadership, confirmed the incident, adding that the party had been trying to arrange a medical examination for Khan for weeks due to his deteriorating health. The government, however, has consistently delayed or denied these requests, sparking tensions between the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PTI.
Protest Cancelled Over False Hope
Ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad, the authorities imposed stringent security measures, resulting in the suspension of all visits and meetings with prisoners at Adiala Jail, including Imran Khan. Despite the jail being located in Rawalpindi, miles away from the summit’s venue, these restrictions were justified over concerns of security. As a result, Khan had been incommunicado with his lawyers and his party since October 3rd. The situation intensified when rumors of mistreatment and threats to his life began circulating, prompting protests from PTI, who feared for his health and safety.
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In response to the government’s refusal to allow Khan’s private doctor to assess his condition, PTI had planned a large-scale protest at Islamabad’s D-Chowk on the same day. The party warned that if Khan’s health needs were not met, demonstrations would follow. However, the protest was called off at the last minute after the government gave assurances that medical attention would be provided.
On our request to the Federal Minister for Interior , we were assured the well being of IK as well as a visit by a competent Doctor of PIMS today, therefore Protest on 15/10/24 was called off after unanimous decision by the political committee.
— Barrister Gohar Khan (@BarristerGohar) October 15, 2024
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi personally reached out to PTI representatives, including Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, promising that a government medical team would conduct a thorough check-up of Khan.
PTI’s decision to cancel the protest was not only based on these assurances but also influenced by the ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad, a significant international event attended by leaders from across the region. During an emergency meeting on October 15, PTI’s political committee discussed the potential impact of holding a protest amid the summit and decided to delay the demonstration in light of the international attention on Pakistan.
Despite the government’s promise to provide medical care, the refusal to grant Dr. Hussain access has reignited concerns over Khan’s health. The PTI leadership made it clear that while the protest had been deferred, it would resume if the government failed to fulfill its commitments. According to sources within the party, they had demanded that Khan’s sisters and doctors be allowed to visit him, and while the government had initially rejected these conditions, it eventually conceded.
Ex-Wife Jemima Goldsmith Raises Alarm Over Prison Conditions
The denial of Dr. Hussain’s entry into Adiala Jail is only the latest development in a series of troubling reports about Imran Khan’s treatment behind bars. On the same day, Jemima Goldsmith, Khan’s former wife and the mother of his two sons, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express her deep concern over the harsh conditions in which Khan is being held. Goldsmith, who was married to Khan from 1995 to 2004, revealed that Khan has been in solitary confinement since September, completely isolated from the outside world, with no access to his family or legal representation.
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Goldsmith’s emotional plea on social media highlighted the deteriorating conditions inside Khan’s prison cell. She claimed that the electricity in his cell had been cut off, leaving him in total darkness, and that he was no longer allowed outside for fresh air. Even the prison cook, who had been responsible for preparing his meals, had reportedly been sent on leave, further limiting his basic comforts. Most concerning, according to Goldsmith, was that all contact between Khan and his family had been severed, including his regular phone calls with his two sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, who live in London.
Imran Khan Declared Fit, But Skepticism Remains
Amid the rising concerns about Khan’s health, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, the chairman of PTI, addressed the media on October 16 to share the results of a government-issued medical report.
Here is the Medical Report from PIMS, Islamabad. pic.twitter.com/2XfMb8HteK
— Barrister Gohar Khan (@BarristerGohar) October 15, 2024
According to the report from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Science (PIMS), a team of doctors, including an ENT specialist and a general physician, conducted a thorough examination of Khan inside Adiala Jail and declared him “fit and healthy.”
Today at about 4pm two doctors – an ENT specialist and a medical specialist visited Khan sab at Adiyala jail. We were informed a while ago that Alhamdullillah, Khan Saab is in good health and had exercised for an hour today. We shall get medical reports from them soon and I will…
— Barrister Gohar Khan (@BarristerGohar) October 15, 2024
The report stated that Khan was in stable condition and had even completed an hour of exercise during the check-up, reassuring his supporters about his physical well-being.
However, despite these official reassurances, skepticism about the credibility of the report quickly spread, particularly within PTI’s ranks. Barrister Gohar emphasized that while the PIMS report painted a positive picture of Khan’s health, the fact that his personal physician, Dr. Asim Hussain, was not allowed to conduct his own examination raised serious doubts. PTI supporters have long expressed concerns that the government might not be fully transparent about the true state of Khan’s health, especially given the political tensions between the ruling PML-N and PTI.
Critics of the government echoed these concerns online, with some accusing Barrister Gohar of colluding with the establishment to downplay the severity of Khan’s situation. A particularly vocal critic, known by the Twitter handle “pakistanwalli,” accused the PTI leadership of withholding the truth about Khan’s health in exchange for political favors.
Gohar Khan is lying to you. He did not even write that statement. The militray wrote that. He is part of the conspiracy orchestrated by the military. He is working to have the PTI stamp the unconstitutional amendments. He already had multiple meetings with the militray and its…
— Pakistan Walli (@pakistanwalli) October 15, 2024
These accusations have only added to the swirling controversy surrounding Khan’s imprisonment and the transparency of his medical care.
Read More: Imran Khan in good health after medical check up: Barrister Gohar confirms
Jemima Goldsmith’s earlier post further fueled the skepticism, as her account of Khan’s isolation and lack of basic amenities contrasted sharply with the government’s portrayal of his health. She alleged that the government was engaging in a broader campaign to isolate Khan not just physically but also from his family and legal team, a tactic that PTI supporters claim is designed to weaken the party’s leadership.