Imran Khan’s Son Appeals to UNHRC Over Father’s Treatment in Pakistani Jail
Kasim Khan, son of incarcerated former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, addressed the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, alleging human rights violations in his father’s detention and calling for international intervention. He claimed the treatment of his father was a broader pattern of repression in Pakistan since 2022.
Imran Khan, imprisoned since 2023, is currently serving a 14-year sentence at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail following a conviction in a £190 million corruption case related to concealing details of gifts received during his time as prime minister [Dawn]. His party and family have raised concerns about his confinement conditions, alleging solitary confinement and restricted access to visitors and medical care [Dawn].
Allegations of Rights Violations
During his address to the UNHRC, Kasim Khan asserted that his father’s detention was arbitrary and violated international human rights conventions, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention against Torture [Dawn]. He specifically cited restrictions on family visits and a denial of adequate medical treatment [Dawn].
Kasim Khan further alleged a wider pattern of repression in Pakistan, including the detention of political prisoners, the trial of civilians in military courts, and the silencing of journalists through abduction or exile [Dawn]. He also reiterated his party’s claims that the February 2024 general elections were rigged [Dawn].
Visa Issues and Family Contact
Kasim and his brother, Sulaiman, have been attempting to visit their father but have faced difficulties obtaining visas [Dawn]. Kasim reiterated allegations that the Pakistani government had “deliberately” refused to process their visa applications [The Azb], calling the denial of a prisoner’s children the right to visit “collective punishment” [Dawn].
Recent contact with Imran Khan came after a nearly two-month silence, during which he reportedly focused on imparting life lessons to his sons rather than detailing his own suffering [Indian Express]. In a message relayed through Kasim, Imran Khan reportedly criticized the judiciary, alleging they had “sold their integrity” [Dawn].
Health Concerns
Concerns have been mounting regarding Imran Khan’s health, particularly after reports of partial vision loss in his right eye [Dawn]. He has undergone multiple eye procedures at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), including a third anti-VEGF intra-vitreal injection [Dawn]. His family and personal doctors have requested he be admitted to Shifa International Hospital and allowed access to his personal physicians, a request that has been met with contention and accusations of a lack of transparency from the government [Dawn].
Kasim Khan emphasized that he and his brother were not political figures but felt compelled to act due to their father’s deteriorating health and isolation [Dawn].