Imran Khan being targeted in prison killing plot, sons allege

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023. His two sons recently gave interviews to British media where they made several explosive allegations against the country’s current rulers.

His elder son Sulaiman Isa Khan said the Pakistani government is trying to kill Imran Khan inside prison.

Sulaiman made the allegation during an 18-minute interview with Sky Sports hosted by former England men’s cricket captain Mike Atherton. His younger brother Qasim was sitting beside him during the interview.

In the interview recorded at Lord’s, Sulaiman alleged against Pakistan’s ruling authorities, ‘It’s very clear what they are doing. They are actually trying to kill him directly inside the prison. They just want to keep him there for as long as possible. They hope that this way they can silence him.’

Imran Khan at a political rally. File photo:Reuters

Asked why he and his brother had spoken out about their father’s imprisonment, Sulaiman said, initially our family thought our father’s imprisonment would not last very long. But the situation changed as the years passed.

Atherton conducted the interview while the second Test against England was underway.

While speaking, Sulaiman also referred to several attempts on his father’s life. He mentioned the 2022 attack in which Imran Khan was shot in the leg.

But the allegations did not end there. The two brothers also spoke about their father’s deteriorating physical condition inside Adiala Prison. They claimed that Imran is being kept in isolation for more than 23 hours every day.

The two sons also expressed concern about Imran’s eyesight. Sulaiman claimed that his father has lost about 80 percent of the vision in one eye.

Sulaiman claimed that his father had been complaining about the problem for several months. But he has not received the necessary treatment so far.

Former England cricket captain Mike Atherton. File photo: collected

Responding to a question about whether they would enter politics, the two brothers strongly said that they could enter politics if something happened to their father.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) became angry and tried to stop the interview from being broadcast. The board threatened that Pakistani players would not return to the field in the ongoing second Test against England.

Against this backdrop, Sky Sports temporarily postponed the broadcast before airing it during the lunch break of the Test. However, the PCB formally complained against Sky Sports for allegedly mixing politics with cricket broadcasting.

Later, Sulaiman and Qasim Khan also spoke to Qatar based news outlet Al Jazeera in London. They said they had not heard their father’s voice for nearly six months.

The last time they spoke to Imran Khan was in March during Eid ul Fitr. The phone call lasted 20 minutes.

Imran Khan celebrates after winning the final of the 1992 Cricket World Cup as captain. File photo: Reuters

Qasim, the 27 year old younger son, told Al Jazeera, ‘We don’t know how much time we will get to talk. Usually we are given around 20 minutes. He quickly asks about our lives and gives advice. But when we ask about him, he quickly avoids the subject. He does not want to talk much about his own condition.’

Qasim said Imran told him, ‘You know, what is happening is happening.’

Imran Khan, 73, was removed from power in a no confidence vote in 2022. More than 100 cases have since been filed against him including allegations of bribery, leaking state secrets and illegally selling state gifts. He has denied all the allegations.

Except for one of his cases, the sentences handed down in all other cases have been suspended or overturned. Appeals in those cases are still ongoing.

Imran’s family and his party Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) claim that the cases are politically motivated.

Recently, his two sisters Uzma and Nooreen were allowed to meet Imran. They said it was their first meeting with him in several months.

Imran’s lawyers said last February that 85 percent of the vision in his right eye had been lost.

His sister Aleema Khanum and supporters read the Quran outside Adiala Prison in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, demanding Imran’s release, January 6, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Regarding this, 29 year old Sulaiman said, ‘Even when we recently met our aunt, he had a bandage over his eye. He has not been allowed to meet any visitors for 10 months. Except for the brief meeting with his two sisters, no other court order has been followed.’

However, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting denied the family’s allegations in a statement to Al Jazeera. The ministry said it was not true that Imran had not received proper medical treatment or that the government had failed to follow the Supreme Court’s orders regarding medical examinations.

The statement said, ‘Health issues should not be used politically.’ It also claimed that the government had never treated anyone disrespectfully regarding their health.

On August 18, a three judge Supreme Court bench ordered that Imran be taken to private Shifa International Hospital within two days. It also ordered that he be allowed to meet family members every week and speak to his sons by phone twice a week. His personal doctor and doctor sister were also ordered to be involved in his treatment.

Earlier, a review by cardiologists had mentioned fluctuations in Imran’s blood pressure and anxiety. It said these problems were caused by his limited communication with his family.

However, on August 20, he was taken to the government run PIMS hospital instead of the private hospital. After a brief examination, he was sent back to prison. Imran’s party then filed a petition raising the issue of contempt of court.

Police guard outside Shifa International Hospital after an order was issued to take Imran Khan to the hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, August 20, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Sulaiman said, ‘These government doctors are essentially told what to say. We want him to be examined independently. Then we will have proof. What are they hiding?’

Qasim said, ‘The government currently has complete power. Even any initiative by the Supreme Court is not being implemented. We want to bring the issue to light as much as possible.’

However, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also denied reports about Imran’s illness. It claimed that there was no evidence supporting these claims in prison or medical records.

The ministry said Imran had undergone 30 medical examinations since being imprisoned. In addition, prison doctors regularly examine him. Doctors recently said that Imran was ‘conscious, stable and showing no signs of any serious or uncontrolled physical deterioration.’

The United Nations, Amnesty International, several politicians from the United States and the United Kingdom and 21 former cricket captains have also expressed support for Imran’s release.

Qasim said, ‘We are hoping that the UK can do something. Our father lived here for a long time. He has always praised England.’

Imran’s former wife Jemima Goldsmith has also sought help from British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband. She said Imran had been in solitary confinement for three years. In her view, this has now become a ‘human rights crisis.’

She also said that despite their two sons being British citizens, they had not been granted visas to meet Imran. They had also been warned that they could be arrested if they went to Pakistan.

PTI supporters hold portraits of Imran Khan at a rally protesting alleged ‘rigging’ in last year’s general election and ‘Black Day’ in Swabi, Pakistan, February 8, 2025. Photo: Reuters

The sons last met Imran after an attempt was made on his life in November 2022.

Qasim said, ‘We have some plans. But we cannot reveal exactly what the plans are. Because whatever we say publicly reaches them in Pakistan very quickly.’

Sulaiman said, ‘This is the most difficult time right now. The situation seems to be at its worst. But at least now there is more attention on the issue.’

He said they were able to deal with this difficult period because of good friends and a strong family.

However, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also denied allegations that Imran was being kept in isolation or denied communication.

According to the ministry, records show that Imran has had about 198 meetings. More than 900 visitors have attended these meetings. They included his sisters, family members, lawyers, doctors and political representatives.

The ministry also said a humane environment has been ensured for Imran in prison. Facilities are available for sleep, hygiene and exercise.

Food is also prepared separately for him. The food includes meat, chicken, fruits, milk, nuts, juice and bottled water.

However, the ministry said no prisoner in jail can be used as a means of unlimited political communication or political activities from inside the prison.

PTI supporters protest demanding Imran Khan’s release in Islamabad, Pakistan, November 26, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Qasim blamed the government for his father’s deteriorating physical condition.

He asked, ‘Where is the humanity in preventing someone from getting the necessary health examinations or treatment? Not allowing him to read books, not allowing him to speak to his children by phone and keeping him in an isolated room for 23 hours every day are all tactics of harassment.’

He said, ‘If they deny the allegations of abuse, then prove it. Take him to an independent doctor and hospital and publish the medical report. This will reduce our concerns. At the same time, the people of Pakistan will know that their elected leader is healthy.’

Despite this, Qasim has not lost faith in his father’s mental strength.

He said, ‘Even in such a situation, if anyone can remain strong, it is my father. Although this situation is extremely difficult.’

Imran Khan has always kept his sons away from the spotlight. They too have never wanted to be at the center of attention.

Sources: Al Jazeera, Sky News, NDTV (Adapted)