Imran Khan’s sons have accused Pakistani authorities of attempting to assassinate their father while concealing his death as a natural occurrence, following the denial of court-ordered medical care and his return to solitary confinement.

Sulaiman and Kasim Khan voiced concerns that their father’s treatment mirrored the case of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, who died in 2024 under suspicious circumstances in a penal colony. Khan, 73, has been held in a small solitary cell at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail since his 2023 arrest on corruption charges, which he denies. His detention followed his removal from office the previous year after losing the military’s backing, an event that triggered widespread protests.

Kasim Khan highlighted the severe prison conditions, noting that several inmates had died from hepatitis due to inadequate treatment and poor hygiene. He expressed fears that if Khan were to die quietly, authorities might attribute his death to natural causes. “An assassination” was the term he used to describe his apprehension.

Sulaiman Khan dismissed any notion that their father would agree to cease political activity in exchange for release. He suggested that while offers involving house arrest or exile might have been made, Khan would not accept such terms without securing the freedom of his imprisoned party members. “He would not accept remaining silent or quitting politics,” Sulaiman said.

Khan’s health has reportedly deteriorated amid harsh detention conditions, leading Pakistan’s Supreme Court to order his transfer to a private hospital for an independent evaluation. However, he was instead taken briefly to a government hospital, where doctors deemed him fit to return to jail.

International figures, including former cricket captains, have appealed to Pakistan’s government to ensure proper medical treatment for Khan. Global attention increased recently following an interview with Khan’s sons broadcast during a Pakistan-England cricket test match, prompting Pakistan to threaten withdrawal from the fixture.

The Khan family criticized the British government’s response, urging greater support and expressing hope for dialogue with officials such as Andy Burnham. They also referenced warnings from former UK foreign secretary David Lammy, who advised them against traveling to Pakistan due to potential arrest and limited government assistance.

The brothers emphasized the need for assurances of safe passage and diplomatic backing should they attempt to visit their father in Pakistan, arguing that foreign intervention constitutes a significant deterrent to the Pakistani regime. They described the authorities as unpredictable and stated that Khan’s isolation appeared deliberate, aimed at breaking his spirit.

Khan’s sister, Uzma Khan, who briefly accompanied him during a hospital visit last month, relayed his fears that his fate could resemble that of former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, who died in detention after being denied medical care. She also reported Khan’s significant health issues, including an 85 percent vision loss in one eye and symptoms of high blood pressure and anxiety, which are uncharacteristic of him.

Following a Supreme Court directive to end Khan’s solitary confinement, his sons expressed skepticism about compliance, characterizing Pakistan as effectively under military control with absolute authority over domestic affairs.

The family’s phone conversations with Khan have been monitored and sometimes abruptly disconnected when touching on sensitive subjects. The brothers have not seen their father in person for several years, with their last extended visit occurring about five years ago. They described their desire to reconnect and ask about his life amid distressing circumstances.

The situation underscores ongoing concerns about political repression and human rights conditions in Pakistan’s prison system.