Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan healthy but isolated in jail, his sister says


Imran Khan is suffering from isolation, his sister said, after weeks of not being able to see his family.
Khan has been in jail since his August 2023 arrest after he was handed a three-year jail term for illegally selling state gifts.
Uzma Khanum was the only family member permitted to meet him in Adiala jail, Rawalpindi, where supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party had gathered to protest against conditions of the 73-year-old’s detention.
Ms Khanum said that Khan, a former cricketer, is facing isolation and psychological strain in prison following weeks in which his family said access had been blocked.
“He’s physically well,” said Ms Khanum, one of Khan’s three sisters. “But he’s kept inside all the time, and only goes out for a short while. There’s no contact with anybody.”
The meeting took place under strict supervision, said Ms Khanum, though she declined to provide further details.
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PTI says routine prison visits have been blocked for weeks despite court orders, fuelling rumours about his condition and possible prison transfers.
Authorities deny any mistreatment, and say that Khan is receiving all entitlements available to prisoners.
Khan served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022.
He has claimed that the charges against him are politically motivated – and aimed at blocking his political career.
Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, is serving time in the same prison over corruption, but they are not allowed to see each other except when they appear in court, his supporters have said.