Jemima Goldsmith, the former wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, stated in an Instagram post that authorities have reportedly turned off the lights and electricity in his cell, and he is no longer allowed to leave his cell.
In the Instagram post, Jemima further said that the jail cook had been sent on leave. He is now completely isolated, in solitary confinement, literally in the dark, with no contact with the outside world.
The Punjab government has banned all types of meetings at Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan is currently imprisoned, until October 18. This decision was made due to security concerns and will apply to all inmates, including Imran Khan.
“In the last few weeks, there have been serious and concerning developments regarding my son’s father, Imran Khan’s treatment in prison. The Pakistan authorities have stopped all visits to him by his family and his lawyers. They have also postponed all court hearings. In addition to cutting off in-person visits, and in defiance of a court order, his weekly calls to his sons, Sulaiman and Kasim Khan, who are British and who live in London, were stopped on 10th September,” she wrote.
“We have received reports that the authorities have now turned off the lights and electricity in his cell and he is no longer allowed to leave his cell at any time. The jail cook has been sent on leave. He is now completely isolated, in solitary confinement, literally in the dark, with no contact with the outside world. His lawyers are concerned about his safety and well-being.” she added.
“These actions come in the context of the ongoing targeting of Imran’s family, as well as his party (PTI) members and supporters in an attempt to silence them and all political opposition in Pakistan. Imran’s nephew, Hassan Niazi, a civilian, has been detained in military custody since August 2023.”
“More recently, Imran Khan’s sisters, Uzma and Aleema Khan, who have continued to speak out on his behalf, have also been arrested as they made their way peacefully to a demonstration and they are currently being held in jail, despite their being no proper or lawful basis for their imprisonment.
In June this year, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found that Imran is unlawfully and arbitrarily detained and called for his immediate release.”
“As a matter of urgency, we are calling for Imran Khan’s release, and for the release of his sisters and nephew as well as for his sons’ contact with their father to be re-established, so that they may have assurance first-hand that he is well and not being mistreated.”
