Imran Khan's Sons Accuse Pakistani Government of Visa Denial Amid Father's Health Crisis

Sons of Imran Khan Speak Out

Lahore: The sons of Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan who is currently imprisoned, have accused the Shehbaz Sharif administration of intentionally denying them visas. They claim that the state of democracy in Pakistan is superficial and that fundamental human rights are being violated.

Imran Khan, aged 73, was arrested in August 2023 and is now serving time in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, following his conviction in one of several cases.

Suleman and Kasim Khan, who reside in London, are the children of Khan from his first marriage to British television personality Jemima Goldsmith.

"My brother and I are attempting to visit Pakistan to see our father. He has been in solitary confinement for 914 days, his health is declining, and he lacks access to independent medical care," Kasim Khan stated in a post on X on Wednesday.

Kasim added, "The government's refusal to process our visas is a deliberate act. Denying a prisoner medical treatment is inhumane, and preventing his children from visiting him is a form of collective punishment."

The family of Imran Khan has asserted that he has been isolated for several months, and his health continues to decline.

On January 29, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that Khan had recently undergone a medical procedure for an eye condition and is currently in good health.

This announcement followed claims from Khan's political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), that he was suffering from a severe eye issue that could lead to permanent vision loss if not treated urgently.

Kasim Khan emphasized that his father has spent over 900 days in a cell without family visits or access to his personal physicians. He mentioned credible reports indicating that Khan has been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion, a serious condition that can result in permanent vision loss without immediate medical intervention.

"Authorities continue to obstruct his treatment and deny him access to trusted doctors. I am even barred from communicating with him. This is not governance; it is authoritarian cruelty," Kasim Khan remarked, urging human rights advocates to intervene before it is too late.

"The world must recognize that democracy in Pakistan is a facade, and fundamental human rights are being trampled upon. I urge international human rights organizations and governments to take action before irreversible damage occurs," he added.

Prior to Minister Tarar's comments, the PTI had shared a post on social media titled 'Reaction on Grave Health Emergency of Imran Khan and the Obstinacy of the Government and Adiala Jail Administration.'

The PTI reported through reliable media sources that Imran Khan has been diagnosed with CRVO (Central Retinal Vein Occlusion) in his right eye, which poses a significant risk of permanent damage if not treated promptly.

Medical experts who evaluated him in jail have indicated that this condition is extremely serious and requires immediate and proper treatment to prevent lasting damage to his eyesight.