PTI demands access to jailed Imran Khan amid concerns over his health

The party of Pakistan's jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday urged authorities to allow a meeting with him, expressing deep concern over his health after more than three weeks without contact from family or lawyers. Khan, imprisoned since August 2023 and serving a 14-year sentence in a corruption case, has long claimed the charges were fabricated to sideline him from politics - an allegation the military denies, reports UNB citing Arab News.

PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari told Reuters that no one has been allowed to see Khan since November 4, and authorities have given no explanation for the ongoing restrictions.

He said Khan was being denied both visits and medical attention despite being a former head of government.
"His health is our concern. We are worried about his illegal isolation," Bukhari said, urging the government to grant immediate access to Khan's family, reports  Dawn.

Khan's party and relatives have staged protests outside the Rawalpindi prison in recent days, demanding a meeting.
 They planned another visit on Thursday to press their demand, Bukhari added. Although prison rules permit weekly meetings, PTI says such access has often been suspended for weeks at a time.

Local media have reported the 73-year-old former cricket star could be moved to a high-security facility, potentially making access even more difficult.

His situation has triggered widespread debate online, with #WHEREISIMRANKHAN trending on X on Thursday.
Pakistan's interior ministry did not comment.

A jail official, speaking anonymously, told Reuters that Khan was in good health and said he was unaware of any plans to transfer him.
Khan, who became prime minister in 2018, was ousted in 2022 after a parliamentary vote following a fallout with the country's powerful military. His arrest last year sparked widespread protests and a sweeping crackdown on PTI.

PTI emerged as the largest party in the 2024 election but says widespread rigging reduced its seat tally, allowing other parties to form a coalition government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The government rejects the allegations.