'No proof of life': Former Pak PM Imran Khan's son claims father locked in solitary death cell, seeks global help

As attempts by the family of Pakistan's jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan to meet him failed to bear fruit, Kasim Khan, the cricketer-turned politician's son claimed that his father has been kept in solitary confinement in a "death cell with with zero transparency".

In a post on X, Kasim urged international community and global human rights organisations to intervene in the matter urgently.

"This absolute blackout is not a security protocol. It is a deliberate attempt to hide his condition and prevent our family from knowing whether he is safe," said Kasim, who added that Imran Khan's sisters, despite having clear court orders which allowed them access, were not allowed to meet his father.

Imran Khan has been in jail since August 2023, serving a 14-year sentence on corruption charges, one of dozens of cases he says were made up in order for the army to keep him out of politics, a charge the military denies.

Zulfikar Bukhari, spokesperson of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, told Reuters that no one has seen Khan since November 4, and no reason had been given for not granting a meeting. Khan is being denied visits and medical support despite his status of a former prime minister.

"Let it be clear: 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 this inhumane isolation," Kasim Khan, said in his tweet.

"I call on the international community, global human rights organisations and every democratic voice to intervene urgently. Demand proof of life, enforce court ordered access, end this inhumane isolation and call for the release of Pakistan’s most popular political leader who is being held solely for political reasons." he added.

Imran Khan's family and party members have protested outside the jail in the garrison city of Rawalpindi in recent days demanding a meeting.

A delegation from the party visited the prison to see Khan on Thursday, but authorities again denied access.

Prison rules allow Imran Khan to meet outsiders at least once a week, although prison authorities can suspend such access. There have been long gaps spanning weeks when Khan was not allowed to meet outsiders, the party said.

Local media reported that the 73-year-old former international cricketer might be moved to a high-security prison to make meeting him more challenging.

Khan's status has become a talking point on social media and #WHEREISIMRANKHAN was trending on X on Thursday.

With inputs from Reuters