Islamabad, Nov 27 (V7N) — Tensions surrounding former Pakistani Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan escalated on Wednesday after his three sisters alleged that they were “barbarically” attacked by state authorities outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi while attempting to visit him.

The sisters—Noreen Niazi, Aleema Khan, and Dr. Usma Khan—claimed they had been denied access to their brother for over three weeks, fueling baseless rumors of Imran Khan’s death on social media. Afghan media reports and posts on the X platform (formerly Twitter) alleged that Khan, 72, died in custody due to mistreatment, and claimed a conspiracy involving Pakistan’s ISI and Army Chief General Asim Munir. These claims suggested that Khan’s death would mark the “final end” of the Pakistani state.

However, Pakistani authorities have dismissed all rumors as false and unverified. Officials compared the reports to similar unfounded rumors of Khan’s alleged assassination in May, which were previously debunked. A viral photo of Khan in hospital was also confirmed as fake.

Following negotiations with police, Aleema Khan and PTI supporters lifted barricades at the Gorakhpur checkpost near Adiala Jail after authorities assured them that visits would be arranged for Thursday and the following Tuesday. Over 10,000 PTI supporters participated in the peaceful action.

Imran Khan, a cricketer-turned-politician, has been in Adiala Jail since August 2023 following a corruption conviction. His family has claimed that he is being kept in a “death chamber” normally reserved for terrorists. Lawyer Khalid Yusuf Chowdhury criticized the prison authorities, saying, “Only the ruling animal has rights. No one else has any rights.”

Even high-ranking officials, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, have been denied access, with Afridi stating that the army controls the prison, and his repeated requests to meet Khan were refused.

The incident has intensified scrutiny over prison conditions and political freedoms in Pakistan as supporters continue to demand transparency regarding the former prime minister’s health and treatment.

END/SMA/AJ