'They will kill him in jail' - Imran Khan's sister fears for his life

Imran Khan's family has raised urgent concerns about his wellbeing while imprisoned on corruption and classified information leaking charges. Khan, the former Pakistan prime minister and cricket legend, has been serving a sentence of more than 30 years following convictions on more than 100 offences since his arrest in August 2023. His supporters maintain that he continues to deny all allegations against him.

Khan's sister has publicly expressed her deepest fears about his safety and condition behind bars. She stated that Khan has been denied adequate healthcare, kept in solitary confinement for the past three years, and subjected to conditions that have caused serious physical harm. According to family accounts, Khan developed hypertension as a direct result of solitary confinement, and he suffered permanent eye damage due to delayed access to medical treatment.

“They will kill him in jail. I would never bow to a pharaoh or tyranny. I would die in jail but not do that," said Al Lima Hanam as quoted by The West Australian.

Sister expresses grave fears for Khan's safety in prison

Khan's family has documented multiple instances of what they describe as deliberate mistreatment. According to his sister, authorities have disconnected him from contact with his family, his children, his lawyers and any meaningful outside communication. She explained the cascade of health problems that have emerged during his confinement, stating that the temperature in his cell could reach 50 degrees, yet he has never complained about the physical extremes. She further detailed how a two-week delay in allowing a doctor to examine him resulted in permanent damage to his eye, characterising the situation not as illness but as deliberate harm inflicted upon him.

“The temperature in his cell could be 50 degrees, he’s never complained. They also disconnected him from any contact from his family, from his children, from meetings, from his lawyers. He developed hypertension because of his solitary confinement. Two weeks, they don’t allow a doctor to come and see him … the delay caused permanent damage to his eye, it’s not that he’s getting ill, it’s that they are doing things to him," said Hanam.

Health deterioration and isolation documented by family

His sister emphasised that the family's sole request has been for Khan to receive treatment at an independent hospital, a basic humanitarian measure that authorities have refused to grant. She expressed her belief that those in power had assumed Khan would disappear from public consciousness once imprisoned, but she stressed that he remains the voice of the people and carries the hopes of 250 million people. She asserted that he would never let them down, regardless of the conditions imposed upon him.

“All we’ve asked for till now is for him to be taken to an independent hospital, that’s it, that’s all we ask for and they are not complying with it. They thought they put him in prison and he’d disappear forever, he is not going to disappear because he’s the voice of the people. He’s become a desperate need for the people. He’s carrying the hopes of 250 million people. He would never let them down,” said Hanam.

International cricket captains petition for Khan's treatment

More than 20 former Australian cricket captains, including Greg Chappell, Steve Waugh and Adam Gilchrist, have signed a petition calling for Khan's humane treatment and independent medical care. Khan's sister acknowledged the significance of their intervention, noting that when prominent figures from countries like Australia and Britain speak out, their governments and citizens take notice. She expressed hope that when these captains raise their voices, their governments will exert pressure on Pakistan's government to ensure Khan's safety and proper treatment.

Khan's sister framed the struggle as one that extends beyond her brother's individual case. She stated that if people do not break the chains of their own slavery and stand up for themselves, they will always remain slaves, echoing a principle Khan has long advocated. She concluded by emphasising that her family is fighting for Khan's life and for his freedom, viewing the international cricket community's support as a crucial element in that ongoing fight.

“Their voice is also heard in Australia. For example, if Greg Chappell speaks, Australians hear about it, and when somebody in Britain speaks, the British hear about it. His life is in danger and we expect and we hope that when the captains raise their voice, their governments will put pressure on this tyrannical government and not support it. If you don’t break the chains of your own slavery, if you don’t stand up for yourself, you will always remain slaves. That’s what he’s always said. We have to fight for his life. We are fighting for his life and we are fighting for his freedom," said Hanam.