Speaking in an interview with Sky News, Kasim and Sulaiman said the conditions inside the jail were “awful” and did not meet international standards for prisoners.
Kasim said the living conditions were extremely poor, while Sulaiman claimed the cell resembled those used for death row inmates, describing it as a small space with barely any light. He further alleged that electricity supply to the cell is sometimes cut off and that dirty water is provided.
Sulaiman said their father was being subjected to substandard conditions that do not comply with international law for prisoners.
Imran Khan has been in jail for more than two years following his removal from office and faces multiple cases. His detention has remained a major point of tension, with repeated protests by PTI supporters over access to the former prime minister.
Last week, police forcefully dispersed a sit in staged by Imran Khan’s sisters outside Adiala Jail after authorities said official meeting hours had ended. In November, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi staged a 16 hour sit in outside the same facility.
The last reported meeting with Imran Khan took place on December 2 when his sister Uzma was allowed to see him after PTI raised concerns over his health and threatened protests outside the Islamabad High Court.
Amid the ongoing controversy, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and adviser on political affairs Rana Sanaullah hinted at the possibility of transferring Imran Khan to another prison, a claim later denied by the Adiala jail administration.
During the interview, the brothers also addressed rumours circulating on social media regarding their father’s death, which Sulaiman described as “incredibly stressful”. Kasim said such rumours were deeply unsettling, particularly given their limited access to reliable information from Pakistan.
Sulaiman said their aunt Uzma later reassured them that Imran Khan was alive and appeared healthy but was furious over the conditions of his confinement.
On the possibility of visiting Pakistan, Kasim said the brothers were planning to travel in January if the government honoured its commitment to allow them entry. He added that they had applied for visas and were expecting approval.
Their possible visit has been discussed previously. In July, Aleema Khan said the brothers intended to join PTI protests. At the time, Talal Chaudhry assured that Imran Khan’s sons would be issued visas or National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis if required.
Asked whether they would urge their father to strike a deal for his release, Kasim said the decision ultimately belonged to Imran Khan. He said his father had a purpose larger than personal comfort and that leaving Pakistan would weigh heavily on him.
The brothers also called on the international community to ensure basic human rights are upheld. Sulaiman said at minimum, international human rights standards should be respected, adding that they were currently being violated.
Kasim stressed the need for implementation of court orders, respect for the rule of law and access for Imran Khan to his personal physician. Both brothers also called for independent monitoring of their father’s condition.
Asked whether they saw a way out of the situation, Kasim said conditions were worsening and advisers appeared increasingly pessimistic. Sulaiman said international pressure was often effective in such cases and that they were considering advocacy visits to Brussels or Geneva in January.
Both Kasim and Sulaiman have been campaigning internationally for their father’s release and previously met US President Donald Trump’s aide Richard Grenell in July to raise concerns about Imran Khan’s imprisonment.
