Imprisoned in harsh conditions for over three years, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is facing growing international concern over his treatment and health. Khan, 73, remains confined in a small, windowless cell reportedly infested with insects, measuring just six by eight feet and including a latrine. The former leader endures prolonged periods of solitary confinement with limited access to visitors, reading materials, or adequate exercise, raising alarms about his mental and physical well-being.
Khan has suffered significant health deterioration during his incarceration. Reports indicate he has lost approximately 85 percent of sight in one eye due to delayed and inadequate medical care. The United Nations special rapporteur on torture has condemned his treatment on three separate occasions within the past two years, while human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have also expressed concern. Pakistan’s own Supreme Court has ruled that Khan is being denied proper medical care, underscoring the severity of his situation.
Former prime minister from 2018 to 2022, Imran Khan has been targeted with multiple legal cases since leaving office, widely seen as politically motivated attempts to sideline him from Pakistan’s political landscape. Most charges against him have been dismissed, except one involving allegations that his government diverted UK funds to a property developer who subsequently donated to a university linked to Khan and his wife. Pakistani prosecutors have acknowledged that neither Khan nor his family benefited financially from the transaction, a point emphasized by Khan’s supporters.
Khan’s imprisonment is viewed by many analysts as driven less by legal concerns and more by military influence seeking to curb his political ambitions. His efforts to assert civilian control over the military, particularly his attempts to appoint the army chief according to constitutional prerogatives, reportedly provoked resistance from Pakistan’s powerful generals. This conflict is seen as central to the broader tensions between democratic governance and military authority in the country.
Despite criticisms of some of Khan’s past political positions—such as his ambivalence toward Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Pakistan’s historical ties with the Taliban—international observers argue none justify the punitive conditions of his detention. The former cricket star, renowned for leading Pakistan to its first Cricket World Cup victory in 1992, retains considerable popular support, with concerns that his release might influence upcoming elections.
Family members, including his two sons who hold British passports, have been denied visas to visit Khan in prison, adding to international criticism. Observers note that the UK government, where Khan studied and played cricket, has issued limited protests despite longstanding cultural and familial links with Pakistan.
Pakistan’s military leadership, under figures such as Field Marshal Asim Munir, remains influential on the global stage, including in sensitive negotiations such as those involving Iran. Critics argue that allowing Khan to serve house arrest pending appeal would conform to both humanitarian standards and Pakistan’s Supreme Court directives.
As Khan’s health continues to decline amid restrictive conditions, calls grow louder for his release. Human rights advocates and political commentators warn that continued imprisonment risks severely damaging Pakistan’s international reputation, and urge the government to uphold judicial rulings and international norms by addressing the political and humanitarian dimensions of Khan’s detention.