Kasim Khan, son of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, fears his father may not survive his imprisonment due to alleged torture and deteriorating health. Kasim stated that he wakes up most mornings expecting news of his father's death. Imran Khan is serving a 14-year sentence on what his family claims are fabricated corruption charges, and his sons believe he is being "slowly killed" through brutal treatment in jail.
Imran Khan's family reports he is held in solitary confinement for extended periods, denied adequate medical care for a worsening eye condition, and has not been allowed family visits or calls since March. Kasim Khan has not spoken to his father in over six months. His sister, Uzma Khan, also mentioned that Imran Khan confided in her about being repeatedly tortured in prison.
International bodies have also raised concerns; a UN special rapporteur noted in December 2025 that Khan was reportedly confined for 23 hours a day in solitary, which constitutes psychological torture under international law if prolonged beyond 15 days. Despite a Pakistan Supreme Court order in August to grant Khan family access and a medical examination by his personal physician, he was sent to a state-run hospital and then immediately returned to prison, deemed medically fit. Kasim criticized this, comparing it to Nawaz Sharif, who was granted bail on medical grounds and sent to the U.K. for treatment.
Kasim Khan alleges that the current situation is driven by a personal vendetta against his father by Pakistan's army chief, Asim Munir, who he claims has grown close to U.S. President Donald Trump. Kasim believes international intervention is his father's only hope for freedom, though he considers U.S. involvement unlikely due to the alleged ties between Trump and Munir.
Imran Khan's political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is challenging the government in court over Khan's treatment and is planning nationwide marches to demand his release. Kasim Khan emphasized that his father, despite being tough, is 73 years old and his body is suffering from the brutal treatment, stating that "it's looking more likely than not that he won't be able to survive this."
