justice for imran khan

Justice for Imran Khan

Jemima Goldsmith urges Justice for Imran Khan

Imran’s ex-wife complains about the former prime minister’s jail conditions. I usually avoid speaking out on Pakistani politics. I don’t share Imran Khan’s views on many political matters, but this is no longer about politics—it’s about the fundamental human rights of my children’s father and the principles of international law. Over the past few years, I’ve endured relentless harassment and threats from PML-N affiliates who have tried to intimidate me into silence. These threats include horrendous acts like rape threats and an overwhelming barrage of conspiracy theories. While I’ve tried to shield my family from this, it has reached a point where I can no longer stay silent.

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Today, Pakistani authorities are using state power to silence all political opposition, suppressing anyone who dares to challenge them. The government has banned Twitter/X, abducted civilian PTI supporters, and jailed anyone with a platform who speaks out against their actions. They have even gone as far as censoring Imran Khan’s name and image on state television, erasing him from the nation’s memory, even in historic events like Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup win. I must speak up for my children and try to bring attention to what is happening. 

Imran Khan’s Isolation in Prison

In recent weeks, the treatment of my children’s father, Imran Khan, has become increasingly severe and concerning. Authorities have entirely cut off his family and legal team from visiting him. Furthermore, they’ve postponed all court hearings, leaving him with no access to legal counsel or a fair trial. On top of this, the authorities have ignored a court order that grants him weekly phone calls with his sons, Sulaiman and Kasim Khan, who live in London. Since September 10th, they have ceased all communication between him and his children, robbing them of any chance to speak with their father.

 Imran is now isolated in his cell and lacks basic necessities like lights and electricity. Furthermore, the authorities sent the prison cook on leave, leaving him without proper provisions. In addition, they have completely cut off his access to fresh air and any contact with the outside world. Consequently, his lawyers, who are deeply concerned for his safety, report that total darkness confines him and forces him into an inhumane state of solitary confinement.

Family Members Targeted

The government’s repression extends far beyond Imran Khan himself, with his family facing direct persecution. Since August 2023, Imran’s nephew, Hassan Niazi, has been held in military custody. The government has also recently arrested his sisters, Uzma and Aleema Khan, while they were en route to a peaceful demonstration. Despite their lawful right to protest, authorities detained them with no legitimate grounds, purely to silence any family members who continued to advocate for Imran’s release. The arrests of these family members underscore the lengths to which the government will go to erase any form of dissent or opposition. 

An Urgent Appeal

In June, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention reviewed Imran’s case, declaring his imprisonment both unlawful and arbitrary. They called for his immediate release. Today, I join that call, urgently demanding his freedom, the release of his sisters and nephew, and the restoration of his son’s ability to communicate with their father. His family deserves to know firsthand that he is safe and not suffering mistreatment. I have reached out to the UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, to bring this to his attention and ask for his help, but he has not yet responded. The conspiracy theorists claim I have influence over global powers, yet here I am, fighting to be heard and advocating for the fundamental rights of my children’s father. 

I ask anyone who reads this to help bring attention to these human rights violations in Pakistan and join us in demanding justice for Imran Khan.

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