Islamabad,. A round of discussion is going on at the global level regarding former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan. In recent days, rumors of his death had created a storm on social media, but now a prominent MP of his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has rejected these rumors outright. MP Khurshid Zeeshan has claimed that Imran Khan is alive and is imprisoned in Adiala jail. However, he also alleged that the current regime is forcefully pressurizing him to leave Pakistan. This statement came in an interview, when the news of Imran’s death was spreading rapidly for the last one week.
Khurshid Zeeshan said that the purpose of spreading rumors is to weaken Imran’s popularity. He clarified, we have been given assurances in the last few days. Imran Khan is alive and is currently lodged in Adiala jail. But he criticized the prison administration and said Imran was being deliberately kept in isolation, which appeared to be part of a planned strategy. This is extremely unfortunate. It has been more than a month, Imran has been kept in isolation inside the jail. His family, lawyers and even PTI leaders are not being allowed to meet him. This is a clear human rights violation. It seems that he is being forced to take some big decision, an attempt is being made to break his courage.
The controversy erupted when Imran’s son Qasim sought an appointment with his father. Qasim said, my father has been kept in captivity for the last 845 days. For the last six weeks he has been put in the death row block. We have no contact with them. Despite court orders, Imran’s sisters Nooreen Niazi, Alima Khan and Dr. Uzma Khan were not allowed to meet them outside the jail. This gave rise to rumors that Imran had been murdered in jail. The sisters wrote a letter to the Punjab Police Chief alleging brutal and well-planned police action in which they were beaten during the protest. PTI supporters staged a protest outside the jail, which turned into a violent demonstration.
Terming the rumors as baseless, the Adiala Jail administration clarified that Imran is completely healthy and he is being provided full medical facilities. Jail officials said, any news of his transfer is not correct. He remains in jail and is in good health. The Pakistani government and PTI leaders also issued a joint statement confirming Imran’s stable condition. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s advisor Rana Sanaullah said, Imran is absolutely fine, there is no problem in his health.
After these assurances, PTI leaders and lawyers were allowed to meet Imran. The family was given meeting time on Monday and Tuesday, after which the protesters dispersed peacefully. Qasim’s statement had put immense pressure on the Pakistan Army and the Shahbaz government. PTI demanded that the government fulfill the responsibility of Imran’s security and constitutional rights. Imran Khan is in jail since August 2023 in various corruption and terrorism-related cases. Adiala Jail, originally built for 1,927 prisoners, now holds more than 6,000. PTI claims that the ruling party is scared of Imran’s popularity, hence no photo or video is being released. This incident further deepens the tension in Pakistan’s politics, where Imran supporters say where are Imran? Running hashtags. Due to the notoriety of the jail, rumors spread quickly, but now the matter seems to be calmed down with official confirmation.