London: Sulaiman Khan and Qasim Khan, the sons of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, have called on the international community to intervene for their father’s release.
In a recent interview, the brothers expressed their desire to seek help from any government that advocates for freedom of expression and true democracy. They specifically mentioned U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizing that he could be a crucial figure in raising awareness about their father's plight.
The interview with podcaster Mario Nofal marked the first public appearance of Imran Khan’s sons discussing their father's imprisonment. They appealed to the international community, including Trump, to take action for their father’s release. Sulaiman Khan stated, "We want the world to see what is happening to him." The brothers emphasized their sole aim: to secure their father's release and ensure his basic human rights.
Sulaiman and Qasim Khan claimed that their father is enduring inhumane conditions and is being deprived of his fundamental human rights. They revealed that, despite a court order allowing them to contact their father once a week, they are only able to speak with him once every two to three months. They also alleged that their father is prohibited from meeting with any other prisoners and is kept in solitary confinement. In one instance, they said he was kept in complete darkness for ten days.
Imran Khan has been incarcerated in Adiala Jail since August 2023, serving a sentence for a 190 million-pound corruption case, in addition to facing pending charges related to the May 2023 protests under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Despite a court order allowing the brothers weekly contact with their father, they claimed that communication has not been possible as often as allowed. During their interview with Mario Nofal, the brothers explained why they decided to speak out publicly about their father's imprisonment. Qasim Khan shared, "We exhausted all legal avenues and explored every path we thought could lead to his release. But we never imagined that he would remain imprisoned for so long, and the situation is worsening, which is why we decided to speak out publicly."
With no significant progress through legal means, Sulaiman Khan expressed frustration, stating, "We have tried all other options, yet it seems like there is complete silence in the international media."
In response to U.S. official Richard Grenell's calls for Imran Khan's release, Sulaiman Khan mentioned they have not spoken directly with him, but he expressed gratitude for his support so far.
Sulaiman Khan also accused the authorities of increasing the severity of Imran Khan's conditions after he led a large protest against alleged election rigging and pressure on democracy. "Our father is not corrupt, and the establishment knows this," he added.
