ISLAMABAD: A United Nations (UN) special rapporteur has raised concerns over the detention conditions of former Prime Minister and PTI chairman Imran Khan, describing them as potentially amounting to inhuman or degrading treatment. The UN official called on Pakistani authorities to ensure that Khan’s imprisonment fully complies with international norms and standards.
Alice Jill Edwards, the UN special rapporteur, said in a statement on Friday that Khan, 73, has reportedly been held in solitary confinement for excessive periods since his transfer to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on September 26, 2023. “He is reportedly confined for 23 hours a day, with highly restricted access to the outside world, and his cell is under constant camera surveillance,” Edwards noted. She urged that the solitary confinement be lifted without delay and called for immediate and effective action to address reports of inhumane detention.
In response, Prime Minister’s aide Rana Ihsan Afzal dismissed the UN concerns, asserting that Khan’s treatment aligns with standard prison rules and the jail manual. He added that Khan, a B-class prisoner, enjoys exercise facilities, good food, ample space, and unrestricted access for visits from his children, provided requests are properly scheduled.
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Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 in a £190 million corruption case and faces additional trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act linked to the May 9, 2023, protests. His supporters have alleged restricted access to lawyers and family visits, prompting multiple protests and sit-ins outside the prison.
Separately, Khan’s ex-wife, Jemima Goldsmith, raised concerns about social media censorship, claiming that X’s algorithm deliberately throttles posts about Khan’s detention, including those from her account. According to Goldsmith, her post impressions dropped by over 97 percent in 2025 compared to previous years, despite continued audience engagement. She directly appealed to X CEO Elon Musk to lift what she described as “secret throttling,” citing restrictions on posts regarding Khan’s health, solitary confinement, and communication with his children.
.@elonmusk
Elon, you may recall we have met before.
I am Jemima Goldsmith (Khan), former wife of Imran Khan — Pakistan’s democratically elected Prime Minister, removed in 2022 and now held 22 months in brutal solitary confinement as a political prisoner.
Our two sons have not…— Jemima Goldsmith (@Jemima_Khan) December 12, 2025
Meanwhile, reports on Khan’s health remain mixed. His sister, Uzma Khanum, told media on December 2 that he was “perfectly fine” after a 30-minute meeting, though she acknowledged that he expressed anger over what he described as mental torture and limited daily activity. Conversely, his son Kasim Khan has expressed concerns about possible concealment of his father’s health condition by authorities.
The UN special rapporteurs, independent experts appointed by the Human Rights Council, do not speak on behalf of the UN but carry a mandate to monitor and report on human rights situations worldwide. Edwards’ statement highlights international scrutiny of Khan’s detention conditions and calls for immediate compliance with human rights standards.
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