Imran Khan is in stable physical condition but showing clear signs of psychological strain, according to his sister after she was granted a tightly controlled visit inside Adiala Jail on Tuesday. The former Pakistan prime minister has spent weeks without direct contact with relatives, a situation that has raised growing concern within his family and among rights monitors.
The visit marked the first verified family meeting in several weeks. Khan has been held in custody since his arrest in August 2023 on corruption charges. He denies all wrongdoing and says the cases are driven by political pressure.
Uzma Khanum, who is a doctor, was the only family member permitted inside the facility. She told reporters her brother looked physically well, though he had been kept indoors for long stretches with no communication allowed.
“He is physically fine,” she said. “But he is kept inside all the time and only steps out briefly. There is no contact with anybody.”
The meeting took place under strict supervision and without any mobile devices. Khanum did not provide further details about the circumstances of the encounter.
Relatives say routine visits have been blocked for weeks despite court orders. One of Khan’s sons told Reuters last week that the family had not received a single verified update on the former leader’s condition for more than three weeks, prompting fears that something serious might be withheld.
The family has also asked authorities to restore access for Khan’s personal physician, who has not examined him for over a year.
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Authorities deny any mistreatment and maintain that Khan is receiving the same entitlements as other prisoners. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry noted that decisions on prison visits are controlled by jail officials rather than the federal government.
Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission expressed serious concern over reports of restrictive detention conditions and limited family access. In a public statement, the group said regular contact with relatives and lawyers is an essential safeguard against isolation and potential misuse of detention powers. It urged authorities to comply fully with constitutional protections and international norms.
Khan, who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, remains one of the country’s most influential political figures. His party, Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf, says the limits on visits and communication are deliberate and aimed at isolating him.
The situation is likely to intensify pressure on the government as calls grow for transparency regarding Khan’s treatment and the future of his ongoing legal cases.