Imran Khan’s personal physician denied access: Is there a cover-up?

On October 15, 2024, Imran Khan’s personal physician, Dr. Asim Hussain, was denied entry to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, 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 routine medical check-up on Khan, the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Despite repeated attempts to secure access, he was not permitted to see his patient. This denial has fueled growing anxieties surrounding Khan’s well-being, as his party, supporters, and family members continue to raise alarms about the conditions of his imprisonment.

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.

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. 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.

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.

“He is now completely isolated, in solitary confinement, literally in the dark, with no contact with the outside world,” Goldsmith wrote, urging the Pakistani authorities to allow Khan access to his family and ensure that his basic human rights are upheld. She emphasized that her appeal was not just a political matter but a personal one, centered around the well-being of her children’s father.

Goldsmith’s post quickly garnered international attention, with human rights organizations expressing concern over the conditions of Khan’s detention. The United Nations has already condemned Pakistan for arbitrarily detaining Khan, calling it a violation of international law. Goldsmith reiterated that this was not just a domestic political issue, but a matter of global concern regarding Khan’s human rights.

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. 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.” 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. These accusations have only added to the swirling controversy surrounding Khan’s imprisonment and the transparency of his medical care.

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.

Political Tensions Escalate as Health Concerns Continue

The situation surrounding Imran Khan’s health and imprisonment reflects the larger political tensions that continue to dominate Pakistan’s landscape. Khan, who was ousted from office in 2022 following a no-confidence vote, has faced over 200 legal cases since then, many of which his supporters claim are politically motivated. His imprisonment since August 2023 has only intensified the standoff between PTI and the PML-N government, with both sides engaged in a high-stakes power struggle.

For now, the government’s assurances about Khan’s medical care have temporarily quelled the immediate threat of protests. However, PTI has made it clear that if the government fails to meet all of their demands, including allowing Dr. Hussain and Khan’s family access to him, they will resume their demonstrations. The political landscape in Pakistan remains volatile, and the issue of Khan’s health is likely to remain a focal point in the country’s ongoing political drama.

As the situation develops, Imran Khan’s supporters, family members, and human rights advocates continue to call for greater transparency and accountability regarding his treatment in prison. For now, the former prime minister remains isolated behind the walls of Adiala Jail, with his health and future uncertain.