Imran Khan’s Sons Say Pakistani Authorities Block Visits As Concerns Grow Over Father’s Health, Three Years Into Incarceration.

Kasim and Sulaiman Khan, sons of former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan, spoke from London to CNN in an interview on Thursday, saying they have had no updates on their father’s condition for seven months because “his family, doctors and lawyers haven’t been allowed to see him.” The interview comes after the Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI) marked three years since Imran was imprisoned on August 5 2023 for concealing Toshakhana gift details. In January, the former premier’s eye ailment, right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), was revealed, prompting warnings that he might need urgent care. Kasim and Sulaiman claimed that Pakistani authorities complicated visa arrangements and delayed permission for them to travel to Pakistan, even though the government had earlier said the two were “welcome” to enter on their National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) and did not require visas. They pointed out that their NICOPs had expired and that the visa application had never been granted, describing the process as a “technical difficulty.” In a statement to CNN, the Information Ministry said the sons had NICOPs, which means they do not need visas to enter the country, and called the claim “misleading.” The ministry did not address the assertion that the NICOPs were not renewed. The Islamabad High Court ordered the family to have a telephone call with their father every two weeks, but Kasim said those calls are themselves restricted. The sons said it is unlikely that Imran will reach a “deal” with the government, adding that any settlement would likely also need to address the status of other political prisoners. They also noted that no recent health report has been provided to the public, suggesting that Imran’s condition may have deteriorated since the CRVO was first mentioned. Imran Khan remains incarcerated after a 14‑year sentence in a £190 million corruption case and faces pending trials for alleged terrorism charges related to the May 9, 2023 riots. The PTI has held rallies in Karachi and Lahore demanding his release, but police action led to arrests. Both Imran’s sisters and opposition leaders have demanded that he be shifted to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, treated in the presence of his personal physicians, and allowed family visits.