A day after rumours claimed Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan had died, officials moved to dispel the reports, saying Khan is healthy and receiving medical care in custody.
Adiala Jail authorities said Khan is in jail, in good health, and being provided full medical facilities, with no plan for transfer. Officials called the death rumours baseless and said his health is being closely monitored.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also sought to clarify conditions, saying Khan is receiving facilities he did not have while in custody previously. “Go and check the food menu that is served to him. This is not available even in five-star hotels,” Asif said, adding that Khan has a television on which he can watch any channel.
Asif said exercise machines had been provided. He recalled harsher conditions earlier: “We slept on the cold floor, ate prison food, and in January were given only two blankets and went without water.”
He alleged that the then-superintendent, Asad Warraich, had personally removed their geyser, while now some inmates have access to double beds and velvet bedding.
Khan has been in jail since August 2023, facing multiple charges including corruption. He was removed from office in April 2022 via a no-confidence vote.
After the death rumours spread, the PTI demanded a transparent official statement on Khan’s health, safety and status and called for an investigation into the motives behind the rumours; the jail administration strongly denied the reports.
Khan’s sisters and children have repeatedly said he is being kept in solitary confinement with limited visitation, though the Islamabad High Court has permitted family visits twice a week.
On Wednesday, a sit-in by PTI supporters and Khan’s sisters near the prison check post led to a large commotion. Authorities later assured Aleema Khan that a meeting would be arranged and the protest was called off.
