Imprisoned former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is set to be moved from solitary confinement to a hospital in Islamabad within 48 hours, following repeated appeals from his family concerning his health. Khan, 73, who led Pakistan between 2018 and 2022, has been held in Rawalpindi for three years serving two sentences. His sons, Kasim and Sulaiman Khan, have described his prison quarters as a 'death cell' with inhumane conditions, including solitary confinement for up to 23 hours a day, exposure to disease, and lack of human contact.
Kasim Khan stated last December that his father was subjected to 'psychological torture tactics,' with prison guards prohibited from communicating with him. The move to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad is expected to last until at least September 16.
Zulfikar Bukhari, a spokesperson for Khan's political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, welcomed the decision, expressing regret that it had not occurred sooner to prevent his eye and general health from declining so significantly. He added that Khan should remain in the hospital until medical professionals are satisfied with his condition.
This development follows a humanitarian appeal made in February by 14 international cricketers, including former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton, advocating for better treatment for Khan. Court requests for a hospital transfer had previously been denied.
Khan's sons have continued to campaign for his welfare, emphasizing that his conditions do not meet international legal standards for prisoners and expressing fears they might never see him again, as they have been unable to since his jailing due to visa issues. Khan's career as a cricketer saw him lead Pakistan to World Cup victory in 1992. Supporters have organized protests demanding his release since his arrest in May 2023.