A fresh wave of concern has erupted in Pakistan over the welfare of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, as his sister Noreen Niazi claimed that family and supporters have been denied access to him — and they have no information about his health or prison condition.
📌 What’s going on: Sister’s concerns, denied visits
Noreen Niazi — among three sisters of Imran Khan — voiced anguish and frustration in a statement issued on Thursday. She revealed:
“We don’t know anything. They are not telling us anything, nor are they letting anybody meet him. His party’s people went there because they had a meeting scheduled, but they were not allowed inside. We have not been allowed to meet him for the last four weeks …
According to her, the family has not been permitted a visit for almost a month. Even when members of his party attempted to meet him, they were turned away by jail authorities. The silence and lack of transparency regarding his condition have sparked serious alarm among his supporters.
🥀 Past Isolation — Now Renewed Worries
This isn’t the first time that concerns have been raised about Imran Khan’s treatment in custody. In a prior episode, he was reportedly kept in isolation for nearly three weeks, with no electricity or access to books — a period that deeply troubled the family.
Given recent refusal of access and total cutoff from outside contact, his family now fears the worst, citing lack of assurances or clarity from authorities regarding his physical or mental well-being.
🔎 Allegations of Police Brutality & Legal Limbo
The situation escalated when Imran Khan’s sisters and party supporters staged a protest outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi after being denied entry. The protest was reportedly peaceful, yet the police allegedly responded with brutality — sisters claimed they were “seized by hair, thrown to the ground, dragged across the road” as they tried to press for meeting access.
They have submitted a formal complaint to the Punjab Inspector General of Police, demanding an impartial probe into the alleged assault. The family insists that they had done nothing unlawful — only sought basic right to meet their detained relative.
📰 Political Fallout — Rumors, Protests & International Buzz
- Various unverified rumors about Imran Khan’s health and even his status began swirling on social media. Despite jail and government assurances claiming he is safe, the absence of credible third-party verification has fueled public distrust.
- Supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have demanded transparency, medical updates, and access for legal teams. Meanwhile, the hashtag #WHEREISIMRANKHAN has gained traction among social-media users voicing concern.
- International human-rights watchers are reportedly monitoring the case, as fears rise that the lack of transparency and alleged detentions may violate basic norms of prisoner welfare and family rights.
📌 Why It Matters
- Human rights & transparency: Denying family access, failing to share health status, and allegations of police violence raise fundamental questions about transparency and humane treatment in custody.
- Political stability & public trust: As a former head of government and prominent political leader, treatment of Imran Khan has larger implications for public confidence in justice and law enforcement institutions.
- Risk of unrest: Continued opacity could fuel street protests, intensify political polarization and potentially destabilize parts of Pakistan affected by PTI support.
🧭 What’s Next?
- The family has demanded that the Punjab Inspector General of Police conduct a formal investigation into the alleged assault on protesters and family members outside Adiala Jail.
- Legal teams, human rights organisations, and neutral observers are calling for proof of life and regular updates on Imran Khan’s status.
- The international community is likely to press for access and monitoring, as scrutiny over detention conditions and due-process violations grows.
