Pakistan Criticized Internationally for Alleged Inhumane Treatment of Imran Khan

Pakistan Faces Global Criticism Over Imran Khan’s Solitary Detention.

Pakistan is under growing international scrutiny over the solitary confinement and detention conditions of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Domestic allegations of mistreatment have drawn warnings from human rights bodies, with a UN expert describing Khan’s isolation as potentially constituting psychological torture and calling for its immediate end.

The controversy follows claims by Khan’s close aide and the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, are being subjected to harsh conditions in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. Khan’s former wife, Jemima Khan, has also written to Elon Musk, alleging that Pakistan is suppressing information about her ex-husband’s plight on X (formerly Twitter), limiting her ability to raise awareness.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohaib Afridi said Khan and his wife “are being subjected to mistreatment in jail,” after being denied permission to meet him for the 10th time. Pakistan’s Adviser on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, claimed Afridi’s request was denied due to intelligence suggesting Khan planned protests similar to those on November 26, fueling domestic criticism over transparency.

Dr Salman Ahmed, a close aide of Khan, has also alleged illegal actions by army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir against the former prime minister.

International Response

The situation has drawn attention from international human rights organizations, legal advocacy groups, and friendly foreign governments. Formal letters to Islamabad have expressed concern over Khan’s solitary confinement and restricted legal access, warning of the broader implications for Pakistan’s human rights record.

The UN special rapporteur on torture, Alice Jill Edwards, called for “immediate and effective action” to address the reported “inhumane and undignified detention conditions.” She noted that prolonged solitary confinement violates international law and, if exceeding 15 days, can amount to psychological torture.

Reports indicate that since his transfer to Adiala Jail on September 26, 2023, Khan has been confined for 23 hours daily, denied outdoor activity, interaction with other detainees, communal prayers, and adequate medical attention despite serious health issues, including spinal injury and gunshot wounds.

Jemima Khan Appeals to Elon Musk

Jemima Khan has directly appealed to X owner Elon Musk, claiming that Pakistani authorities are deliberately suppressing information about her ex-husband. She alleged that her X account is being “secretly throttled,” drastically reducing her post reach from hundreds of millions monthly to just 28.6 million in 2025. Jemima described Imran Khan as a “democratically elected prime minister, removed in 2022, and now held for 22 months in brutal solitary confinement as a political prisoner.”

Prominent broadcaster Piers Morgan also condemned Pakistan’s actions, urging Musk to intervene and calling on authorities to respect Khan’s basic human rights.