Aleema Khan, the sister of former prime minister Imran Khan, announced that they are considering taking the numerous cases filed against him to international institutions. Speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Aleema stated that they had no other choice but to escalate the matter internationally.
She emphasized that Pakistan, being a signatory to the UN convention, would involve international bodies to address the issue. Last year, a UN human rights working group had deemed Khan’s detention arbitrary, urging for his immediate release and compensation, citing violations of international law.
Aleema also criticized the current government for denying Khan access to his physician, calling it torture. She accused jail authorities of creating difficulties, including restricting visiting hours to suit the government’s agenda. Regarding the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case, she claimed that the world would soon see how unjust the case is when it reaches the high court.
Aleema reaffirmed her brother’s stance, stating that Khan remained confident he would be acquitted in all cases. PTI lawyer Shoaib Shaheen called for a judicial probe into the events of November 26, 2024, in which PTI supporters were allegedly killed during a protest. Shaheen also highlighted the PTI’s concerns over the government’s sincerity in negotiations, stating that their committee had been denied meetings with Khan and that Aleema was barred from visiting him.
The negotiations between PTI and the government are currently on hold, awaiting the return of National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. However, there has been some international involvement, as Khan’s lawyer revealed that a global parliamentary group would send an observer to monitor the trials against him. This move comes after discussions with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), which is concerned about the legal proceedings against the PTI leader.
Imran Khan has been incarcerated since August 2023, facing multiple legal challenges including the Toshakhana case, the diplomatic cable case, and the GHQ attack case.
