Imran Khan health concerns raised again by sons

Imran Khan’s sons, Kasim and Sulaiman, have once again voiced concern about the former prime minister’s health, saying in a fresh interview with CNN that they have been kept largely in the dark about his condition while he remains in prison.

The remarks came as Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf marked three years since Imran Khan’s imprisonment on August 5, 2023, in connection with allegations that he concealed details of Toshakhana gifts. Since an eye ailment surfaced in January, his family and party leaders have repeatedly questioned the level of access being allowed to him.

Family says access has been limited

In the CNN interview, the brothers said they had not received meaningful updates because, according to them, Imran Khan’s family, doctors and lawyers have not been allowed to see him for seven months. Kasim Khan said the family had been “more in the dark than we have ever been” during the period of incarceration.

He also referred to an Islamabad High Court order that reportedly allows a phone call between the family and Imran Khan every two weeks.

Speaking from London, Kasim and Sulaiman Khan said that whenever they speak publicly about their father, they believe it becomes harder for them to travel to Pakistan. They alleged that visa delays and other administrative hurdles have repeatedly blocked attempts to visit him.

“We are trying, we would like to go, but nothing is coming through,” Kasim Khan told CNN, adding that there was no reason their visa applications should not be approved.

Government disputes their claims

The brothers said the National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis they previously held had expired, leaving them unable to use that route to enter the country. They said the visa process had not been completed because of what they described as technical difficulties.

CNN also quoted Pakistan’s information ministry as saying Kasim and Sulaiman Khan held NICOP cards and therefore did not need visas to enter Pakistan. The ministry said their claims were misleading and framed the matter as an administrative issue rather than a political one.

Dawn reported that the interview added to ongoing scrutiny around access to the PTI founder, whose health and prison conditions have remained a recurring issue for the party and his family.

Why the latest interview matters

The renewed comments keep Imran Khan health concerns in the spotlight at a time when questions about his access to medical care and family contact continue to draw attention in Pakistan. For PTI supporters, the issue has become closely tied to broader concerns about his treatment in custody.

At the same time, the government has continued to push back against claims that his relatives are being deliberately blocked from seeing him, saying the dispute centers on documentation and administrative procedure.

For now, the latest interview does not change the basic facts: Imran Khan remains incarcerated, his sons say they have not been able to see him regularly, and both sides continue to offer sharply different accounts of why that is.

FAQ

What did Imran Khan’s sons say?

They said they are worried about their father’s health and claim they have not been allowed regular access to him.

What is the government’s response?

Pakistan’s information ministry says the sons have NICOP cards and do not need visas, calling their claims misleading.

Why is this issue being discussed now?

The comments came as PTI marked three years since Imran Khan was imprisoned on August 5, 2023.