Imran Khan’s sisters expressed concerns about the conditions faced by the former prime minister during a recent visit to his prison cell. Following their second consecutive visit, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur issued a warning, stating that the country would be brought to a standstill if Imran Khan faced further mistreatment.
For several weeks, PTI members claimed that Khan was being treated poorly in jail, with visitor restrictions in place at Adiala Jail (recently lifted). His ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith also raised concerns about his well-being. Afterward, a team of doctors assessed Khan’s health and reported him to be in “good health,” though PTI officials maintained their worries. On Monday, the government permitted Khan’s sisters, Aleema and Uzma Khan, to visit him in Rawalpindi Central Prison.
Read more: KP CM Threatens Nationwide Shutdown Over Imran Khan’s Jail Treatment
Allegations of Poor Conditions
After the visit, Aleema Khan spoke to the media, alleging that her brother’s power supply had been cut off since October 3 and that he was given food that caused nausea. She also claimed that Khan was denied access to newspapers and television. However, both sisters refrained from talking to the media after their Tuesday meeting with Khan.
Claims of ‘Mental Torture’
A statement shared on Imran Khan’s official X account alleged that he had been subjected to mental distress due to confinement. The PTI leader reportedly said the government had disconnected his electricity for five days and barred him from leaving his cell for 10 days. Khan accused the authorities of attempting to break his resolve but asserted that he would stay firm.
He also questioned the silence of the courts regarding the reported abduction of his focal person, Intezar Panjutha. Notably, Khan’s X account is managed by others, as he does not have internet access in prison.
Read more: Maryam Nawaz under fire for alleged threats against Imran Khan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Warns of Possible Violence
In response to reports of mistreatment, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur warned that the federal government risked inciting violence within PTI by continuing Khan’s harsh treatment. In a video message on Tuesday, Gandapur claimed the PTI founder had been denied electricity, given poor-quality food, and restricted from exercising.
He warned that if mistreatment continued, PTI would take steps to “shut down the country,” and he urged supporters to prepare for further anti-government actions. Gandapur reiterated PTI’s commitment to peace but said the situation could push them toward a more forceful response.
PTI’s Internal Friction and US Lawmakers’ Appeal
Gandapur criticized former PTI members who had left the party, calling them “traitors” and “cowards” who no longer had a place within its ranks. He affirmed that the party now belonged to “new people rising through the ranks.”
Meanwhile, in the United States, 62 lawmakers sent a letter to President Joe Biden, asking him to intervene in securing Imran Khan’s release and advocating for other political prisoners in Pakistan. The US State Department confirmed receipt of the letter and stated it would respond soon. A spokesperson emphasized that human rights and democratic principles remain vital to the US-Pakistan relationship.