Imprisoned former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has told his sister he has repeatedly been physically tortured in prison, according to an allegation raised by his sister, Uzma Khan, on Saturday. A day earlier, Imran Khan had been taken to a government hospital in Islamabad for medical tests and returned to prison within hours of the examination.
Uzma Khan was present at Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) during her brother’s medical tests. She said he is physically well, but that the former prime minister complained to her of being tortured repeatedly in prison.
“Imran told me he is being tortured repeatedly in prison,” Uzma Khan told reporters.
No comment on the allegation was available from Pakistan’s interior and law ministries or from prison authorities.
Dispute over court order
Imran Khan was taken from Adiala Jail to hospital for medical tests Friday night following a Supreme Court order. The court had directed that he be moved to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, but he was taken to PIMS instead, citing security concerns.
After the examination, doctors declared him physically fit, and he was sent back to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi within a few hours.
Meanwhile, Imran’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), filed a contempt petition against the government Saturday, alleging the court’s order had been defied. Naeem Panjutha, the party’s legal adviser, said the petition sought action against the prime minister, the law minister, the information minister and other relevant government officials.
PTI alleges that although the court ordered Imran Khan taken to Shifa International Hospital, he was instead taken to PIMS. The party also alleges his personal physician was not allowed to take part in the medical examination.
The government’s explanation
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Imran Khan was taken to PIMS instead of the private hospital named in the court order because of security concerns.
He said a medical team including an eye specialist, a cardiologist and a physician conducted a detailed examination of Imran Khan, after which he was declared medically fit.
Imran Khan has been in prison since August 2023. He maintains the cases filed against him are politically motivated, an allegation the Pakistani government has consistently denied.
Imran’s lawyers have previously claimed his health has deteriorated in prison and that vision in his right eye has significantly declined. The government, for its part, says medical reports have not found any serious problem requiring immediate treatment.
Supporters gather as news of hospital visit spreads
After word spread that Imran Khan had been taken to hospital, his supporters gathered on various streets in Islamabad. They threw flowers at a vehicle believed to be carrying him.
Various Pakistani television channels broadcast the events live. In recent years, the country’s broadcast media had often avoided even mentioning Imran Khan’s name.
PTI leaders warned that the recent developments could further increase political pressure on the government and spark fresh protests.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said: “After what happened yesterday, the pressure on the authorities will double.” He said preparations for a planned protest march on September 27 have also been intensified.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report