Imran Khan gives his first public message in a long time

Former Pakistan cricketer-turned-Prime Minister Imran Khan raised concerns over the “inhumane treatment” of his wife, BushraBibi, in prison.

Former Pakistani cricketer and Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested in August 2023. Recently, he gave his first public message since concerns emerged over his deteriorating eyesight. He raised concerns over the “inhumane treatment” of his wife, BushraBibi, in prison and alleged that authorities are using her to “blackmail” him.

In a phone call to his son, Imran Khan criticises Pakistan’s judiciary.

Making a rare phone call with his son Kasim Khan over the Eid weekend, Imran Khan issued a strongly worded statement criticising Pakistan’s judiciary. The remarks were later relayed publicly by Kasim, who spoke with his father on Saturday. This marks Imran Khan’s first public message since concerns over his deteriorating eyesight emerged. On Monday, the former cricketer-turned-politician received his third round of eye injections. In a statement, as reported in The Independent, Khan said, “The judges in this country should be ashamed of themselves. Time and again, we have gone to the judiciary, but they have sold their souls for personal gain.”

“They know they cannot break me.”

He further said, “They know they cannot break me, so they turn to my wife. How can they allow this inhumane treatment of BushraBibi, simply to blackmail me?” Khan and his wife are currently serving prison sentences in corruption cases linked to a property trust and the alleged acquisition of luxury gifts. In December 2024, both were handed fresh sentences in a separate case, further extending their jail terms. Bibi has been lodged in Adiala Jail since January, with Khan alleging that she is being kept in near-total isolation. Imran Khan claimed, “She is kept in complete isolation, except for 30 minutes with me per week, and even that is often denied.” Khan himself has been imprisoned since August 2023, following his removal from office through a parliamentary motion.

Amid rising health concerns, Khan was taken for another round of treatment for vision loss in his right eye earlier this week before being shifted back to Adiala Jail. His legal team had earlier revealed that he has lost nearly 85 per cent of his vision in his right eye.