Aleema Khan rejects reports of Imran meeting former army chief in Adiala jail

ISLAMABAD: Aleema Khan, the sister of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf founder Imran Khan, on Monday dismissed circulating claims that the former prime minister had met a former army chief at Adiala jail, calling the reports false.

In a post on X, she said the reports being shared on social media about such a meeting in the prison were untrue. Aleema said she had checked the claim with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, who also said it was false.

Aleema said the narrative was being pushed to divert attention from what she described as Imran Khan’s treatment in custody. She alleged that he was being subjected to complete isolation and said concerns remained over his eye condition, his inability to speak to his sons, the non-provision of books for the past six months and the absence of television access in his cell.

Attributing details to Imran Khan’s confinement, Aleema said he had not been allowed contact with people outside prison for the last six months, except for two meetings with his lawyer that took place under court orders. She also referred to a full bench court order that, she said, permits weekly meetings for 18 people: six family members and six lawyers on Tuesdays, and six party representatives on Thursdays. She said these were his lawful rights under Pakistani law and international law.

The statement came after social media discussion over the weekend about an alleged meeting between Imran Khan and a former army chief at Adiala jail, where he is being held.

Detention and medical treatment

Imran Khan has been incarcerated since August 2023. He has been sentenced to 14 years in the £190 million corruption case and 17 years in the Toshakhana-2 case.

He underwent a medical procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad on the night of January 24. The development was confirmed by the government days later, amid an apparent lack of knowledge on the part of his family. He has since been receiving follow-up treatment at Pims.

His family has also alleged that his sons, Kasim and Suleiman, have not been allowed to speak to him by phone. They have further accused the government of deliberately delaying their visas. Both sons live in London with Imran Khan’s former wife.

PTI protests outside jail

PTI has continued to hold sit-ins outside Adiala jail on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the days set by court orders for meetings with Imran Khan. Such meetings have largely remained suspended in recent months.

On May 20, Aleema Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi stated that shots were fired at participants when the party staged another protest outside the jail.