Amid a growing cloud of uncertainty surrounding former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s condition in Adiala Jail, his son Kasim Khan issued a powerful public appeal on November 27, sparking renewed political and public outrage. The 73-year-old PTI founder, currently serving time in Rawalpindi’s high-security prison, has allegedly been kept in “solitary confinement” for several weeks — a claim that intensified ongoing rumours and misinformation about his wellbeing.

Kasim’s statement emerged just as social media was flooded with unverified posts falsely claiming Imran Khan had died in custody. While the rumours spread rapidly across Pakistan’s polarised digital space, Adiala Jail authorities categorically dismissed the speculation, calling it “baseless”.

In a post on X, Kasim raised grave concerns about the conditions in which his father is being held. He noted that Imran Khan has now been detained for 845 days and has spent the last six weeks isolated “in a death cell”. According to Kasim, all family visits have been blocked, court-approved meetings ignored, and even his father’s sisters have been repeatedly turned away. The former PM’s sons have had “no contact” and “no proof of life”, he wrote, describing the communication blackout as “a deliberate attempt to hide his condition”. He warned that “the government and its handlers” would be held accountable and urged global human rights organisations and democratic nations to intervene.

Adding to the alarm, Khan’s sister Noreen Niazi told ANI that Pakistan is witnessing “extreme” censorship, alleging that journalists are being intimidated, detained, or forced into exile. Drawing a chilling parallel, she said, “We used to hear and read about Hitler… the same thing is happening in Pakistan.”

Political tensions escalated further when Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi attempted to meet Khan for the eighth time. Stopped by police outside Adiala Jail, Afridi staged a sit-in protest, alleging assault and accusing authorities of defying court orders. He questioned why access was being denied to a leader representing “25 million people”. PTI leaders including Zulfi Bukhari and Meher Bano Qureshi echoed demands for a clear statement on Khan’s health.

Adiala Jail officials, however, maintained that Khan is in “completely good health” and dismissed allegations of mistreatment. The controversy deepened after Khan’s three sisters claimed they were dragged and assaulted during a protest outside the prison last week.