Khan suffering 'mental torture' in prison, sister says

Jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan is alive and well, his sister said, after she was finally allowed to visit him in prison on Tuesday.

- NAMITA SINGH

Uzma Khan’s visit was the first time any member of Khan’s family had seen him in weeks, and the authorities have also barred him from meeting his legal team or political party officials - leading to mounting speculation about his wellbeing.

Uzma Khan’s remarks late on Tuesday after the visit to Adiala Jail appeared to be aimed at reassuring Khan’s millions of supporters in Pakistan and abroad after concerns were raised over his health and whereabouts - and even whether he was still alive. Prison authorities had dismissed the rumours about his condition as baseless.

“Imran Khan’s health is perfectly fine. However, he said that they are subjecting him to mental torture, and that Asim Munir is responsible for all of this,” said his sister.

Field Marshal Asim Munir is the chief of Pakistan’s army, and considered to be the most powerful figure in the country. He recently secured expanded powers and lifelong legal immunity after parliament passed a constitutional amendment, which also limits the independence of the Supreme Court.