Jemima accuses govt of 'Nicop Trap' to deny her sons British protection

LONDON: Imran Khan's former wife, Jemima Goldsmith, on Thursday alleged that the Pakistani government was urging her sons to travel to Pakistan on NICOP cards to strip them of British consular protection, amid delays in their visa issuance.

Responding to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, she said the suggestion for her sons to travel without visas was a deliberate move. “We all know that the reason you are refusing their visas and recommending they travel on NICOP cards… is because that way they will have no British protection if you choose to arrest them on arrival,” she wrote on X.

Tarar had stated a day earlier that the sons of Imran Khan were welcome to visit Pakistan using NICOPs, which do not require visas, provided they comply with local laws.

Jemima’s sons, Kasim Khan and Suleiman Khan, live in London and intend to visit their father, who is currently imprisoned at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.

She had earlier appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, highlighting that the visa applications—submitted in January—have remained pending for over 60 days despite official timelines of 7–10 working days.

Jemima also pointed out that assurances had been given by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and government spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi regarding safe travel for her sons.

Earlier, Kasim had accused authorities of deliberately stalling their visas, while reports suggested continued reluctance to grant entry permits despite repeated applications.