Source NDTV
London/Islamabad – Kasim Khan, the younger son of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, has thrust himself into the global spotlight after issuing a sharp public appeal for “proof of life” for his incarcerated father. His statement comes amidst swirling, unverified rumours about the former premier’s health and even death, which have been categorically denied by jail authorities and the Pakistani government.
The dramatic intervention by Kasim Khan, who typically maintains a distance from Pakistani politics, has refocused attention on the conditions of Imran Khan’s detention in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi.
Isolation and ‘Death Cell’ Allegation
In a strongly-worded post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Kasim Khan accused Pakistani authorities of an “absolute blackout” on his father’s condition.
“My father has been under arrest for 845 days. For the past six weeks, he has been kept in solitary confinement in a death cell with zero transparency,” Kasim wrote.
He further alleged that family members, including Imran Khan’s sisters, have been denied all visits and phone calls despite clear court orders permitting access. “Me and my brother have had no contact with our father,” he stated, arguing that the information blackout is a “deliberate attempt” to conceal his condition.
Call for International Intervention
In his urgent appeal, Kasim Khan called for global institutions to intervene immediately to ensure his father’s safety.
He demanded the international community, human rights organisations, and democratic voices “demand proof of life, enforce court ordered access, [and] end this inhumane isolation.”
He also issued a stark warning: the “Pakistani government and its handlers will be held fully accountable — legally, morally and internationally — for my father’s safety” and for every consequence of the alleged isolation.
Who is Kasim Khan?
Kasim Khan is the younger of Imran Khan’s two sons from his first marriage to British socialite and journalist Jemima Goldsmith. He and his older brother, Sulaiman Isa Khan, were raised in the UK after their parents’ divorce in 2004.
Born: April 10, 1999, in England.
Education: He holds a Master of Arts (MA) in Anthropology with Innovation from the University of Bristol.
Career: Kasim is an entrepreneur, having founded Mifu, a London-based AI-powered influencer marketing platform, in late 2023.
Political Stance: Like his brother, he has largely remained outside of the political arena in Pakistan. His public advocacy for his father marks a significant shift from his usual non-political profile.
Official Denials and Concerns
The speculation and death rumours that prompted Kasim’s post have been dismissed by government officials and jail authorities.
The Pakistan government and Adiala Jail officials maintain that Imran Khan is in “completely good health” and is receiving all necessary care.
A government minister also stated that the rumours are “completely false” and deliberately spread.
However, leaders from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and his sisters have reiterated concerns, claiming that they have been denied access for weeks, fueling the anxiety surrounding the former Prime Minister’s well-being.
