The sons of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan have accused Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, of pursuing a personal vendetta against their father, who remains imprisoned amid growing concerns over his health and treatment. Imran Khan has been held at Adiala prison in Rawalpindi since his arrest in 2023, serving a 14-year sentence on corruption charges he and his supporters say are politically motivated.

Kasim Khan, 27, and Sulaiman Khan, 29, have not had contact with their father for over six months and have been denied permission to travel from the United Kingdom to Pakistan to advocate for his release. Speaking from London, they expressed serious worries that Imran Khan is being subjected to conditions amounting to “mental and physical torture.” They said he is confined to a solitary cell measuring approximately 6 by 8 feet, isolated from family and neutral medical professionals.

Imran Khan’s health has reportedly deteriorated during his detention. He is said to be suffering from a worsening eye condition, including a blood clot in a retinal vein that has severely impaired the sight in his right eye, and high blood pressure. Despite a recent Supreme Court order mandating his transfer to a private hospital for treatment, he was instead taken to a government hospital and subsequently returned to prison. His family and political party have criticized the care he received as inadequate.

The Supreme Court is set to hear a petition on Wednesday alleging the government has violated court orders by denying Khan private hospital treatment and restricting family visits. The United Nations has also weighed in, calling the conditions of Khan’s detention a potential breach of international law. The UN special rapporteur on torture suggested that solitary confinement and the prison environment may amount to psychological torture.

Kasim and Sulaiman assert that the harsh treatment is driven by a grudge held by General Munir, whom Khan demoted during his time as prime minister. Munir became army chief in 2022, and since then, the family says persecution of Khan has intensified. The general has reportedly expanded his influence and maintains close ties with former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Despite these tensions, the Pakistani government denies allegations of mistreatment. It asserts that Khan is kept in suitable conditions, receives medical care, and is provided with amenities including home-cooked food and exercise equipment. A government spokesperson labeled the accusations as “fake propaganda.”

Imran Khan rose to power in 2018 with backing from Pakistan’s military establishment but fell out with it in 2022, leading to his removal and subsequent arrest. He has faced a series of charges, including corruption and sedition, which he and his supporters reject as politically motivated. His political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), plans to hold a nationwide march later this month demanding his release.

Kasim and Sulaiman stressed that despite their advocacy, they have no intention of entering Pakistani politics themselves, highlighting their father’s criticism of dynastic political practices in the country. They also stated their belief that Imran Khan would not abandon his political agenda in exchange for freedom, emphasizing his commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

Meanwhile, their attempts to obtain visas to visit Pakistan have remained unsuccessful for over nine months. They say international scrutiny is forcing the government to respond more carefully but fear that unless pressure persists, Khan’s conditions could worsen further.