ISLAMABAD: Aleema Khan, sister of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, on Monday strongly rejected reports circulating on social media that claimed her brother had met a former army chief at Adiala jail, describing the allegations as “totally fake”.
In a statement posted on X, Aleema said there was no truth to the reports and stressed that the claims had also been verified with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan. According to her, Gohar also confirmed that the reports were entirely fabricated.
Aleema argued that the rumours were part of a disinformation campaign aimed at diverting attention from what she described as Imran Khan’s continued isolation in prison. She alleged that the former premier was being subjected to harsh conditions and denied basic facilities and rights.
She further claimed that Imran was not receiving proper treatment for his eye condition, had been prevented from speaking to his sons, and had not been provided books for the past six months. She also alleged that he did not have access to a television in his prison cell.
According to Aleema, Imran has remained cut off from the outside world for the past six months and has only been allowed two meetings with his lawyer, both conducted under court orders. She maintained that no other outside contact had been permitted during this period.
Highlighting court directives regarding prison visits, Aleema said a full bench court order allows at least 18 people to meet Imran every week. Under the arrangement, six family members and six lawyers are permitted to visit on Tuesdays, while six party representatives can meet him on Thursdays. She described these visitation rights, along with the concerns she raised, as protections guaranteed under both Pakistani and international law.
Her statement came in response to widespread social media speculation over the weekend suggesting that a former army chief had met Imran Khan at Adiala jail, where the PTI founder has been imprisoned.
Imran Khan has remained incarcerated since August 2023. During this period, he has been convicted in multiple cases, including receiving a 14-year sentence in the £190 million corruption case and a 17-year sentence in the Toshakhana-2 case.
The former premier also underwent a medical procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad on January 24. The government confirmed the development several days later, amid concerns from family members who initially said they had not been informed. Since then, he has continued to receive follow-up medical treatment at the hospital.
Imran’s family has also repeatedly alleged that his sons, Kasim Khan and Suleiman Khan, have been prevented from speaking with him by telephone. They have further accused authorities of delaying the issuance of visas for the two, who reside in London with Imran’s former wife.
Amid these concerns, PTI supporters have continued staging protests and sit-ins outside Adiala jail on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the days designated by the court for meetings with Imran. However, party leaders say these meetings have largely remained suspended in recent months.
On May 20, Aleema Khan and Sohail Afridi alleged that shots were fired at participants during one such protest outside the jail, as PTI supporters gathered to demand access to the party founder and the implementation of court-ordered visitation arrangements.