Imran Khan’s sons accuse Pakistan army chief of personal vendetta

The sons of former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan have accused army chief Asim Munir of pursuing a “personal vendetta” against their father and said they fear he is being “slowly killed” in prison.

Speaking to the Guardian from London, Kasim Khan, 27, and Sulaiman Khan, 29, said they were “deeply, deeply concerned” about the 73-year-old’s health and described his reported prison conditions as “a form of mental and physical torture”.

Khan has been held at Adiala prison in Rawalpindi since his arrest in 2023 and is serving a 14-year sentence on corruption charges. His sons said they had not been allowed to speak to him for more than six months and had been unable to travel to Pakistan despite applying for visas more than nine months ago.

Pakistan’s Supreme Court is due to rule on Wednesday on allegations that the government has breached a court order by preventing Khan from receiving private hospital treatment for an eye condition and restricting family visits and communication. His sons said he was being held in solitary confinement in a cell measuring about 6ft by 8ft.

Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that Khan should be taken to a private hospital for treatment for a blood clot in his retinal vein. His family said the condition had severely affected his right eye. He was instead briefly taken to a government hospital, where he received injections and was declared fit to return to prison.

Kasim said the family had not received an assessment from an independent doctor and alleged that authorities were trying to “slowly kill him”. Sulaiman said the treatment was being driven by a grudge held by Munir, whom Khan had demoted while serving as prime minister.

The Pakistan government rejected the allegations as “fake propaganda”, saying Khan had adequate living conditions, access to food, water, exercise equipment, family visits and regular medical examinations.

The United Nations has said Khan’s prolonged detention violates international law, while its special rapporteur on torture has said his solitary confinement and detention conditions could amount to psychological torture.

Khan, who founded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in 1996, came to power in 2018 with military backing but was ousted in 2022 after relations with the military deteriorated. He has since accused the military of interfering in politics and says the numerous cases against him are politically motivated.

PTI is planning a nationwide march later this month demanding his release. His sons said they did not intend to enter Pakistani politics or lead the party in his absence.