The sons of jailed former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan have accused the country's army chief of a personal vendetta against their father, saying they fear he is being 'slowly killed' in prison as international pressure grows over his conditions.
Key facts
- Imran Khan's sons Kasim, 27, and Sulaiman, 29, accuse army chief Asim Munir of a 'personal vendetta'.
- The sons told the Guardian they fear their father is being 'slowly killed' by harsh treatment in jail.
- Imran Khan has been held at Adiala prison in Rawalpindi since his arrest in 2023.
- He is serving a 14-year sentence on corruption charges.
- International pressure is mounting over his prison conditions.
The sons of Imran Khan have publicly accused Pakistan’s powerful army chief of pursuing a ‘personal vendetta’ against the imprisoned former prime minister, according to the Guardian. In an interview with the outlet, Kasim Khan, 27, and Sulaiman Khan, 29, said they believe their father is being ‘slowly killed’ through harsh treatment in jail.
Imran Khan has been held at Adiala prison in Rawalpindi since his arrest in 2023, the Guardian reported. He is serving a 14-year sentence on corruption charges.
The two brothers have become prominent advocates for their father’s release. They told the Guardian they attribute the treatment their father is enduring to army chief Asim Munir, framing it as a matter driven by personal animosity rather than legal process.
Their remarks come as international pressure mounts over the conditions in which the former prime minister is being held, according to the Guardian. The sons’ comments represent an escalation in the public campaign surrounding his imprisonment.
The accusations centre on claims about the severity of his treatment in custody, with the brothers expressing fear for their father’s wellbeing. The Guardian reported that the two have positioned themselves as strong voices calling for his freedom.
Why it matters
Imran Khan remains one of Pakistan's most influential political figures, and his imprisonment has been a flashpoint in the country's politics. Public accusations by his family against the army chief add a personal dimension to a case already drawing international scrutiny over prison conditions and the relationship between civilian politics and Pakistan's military.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Imran Khan being held?
According to the Guardian, Imran Khan has been held at Adiala prison in Rawalpindi since his arrest in 2023.
What sentence is Imran Khan serving?
The Guardian reports that Imran Khan is serving a 14-year sentence on corruption charges.
What have Imran Khan's sons alleged?
His sons Kasim and Sulaiman Khan told the Guardian they believe their father is the target of a 'personal vendetta' by army chief Asim Munir and fear he is being 'slowly killed' by harsh treatment in jail.