Imran Khan Death Rumours Return: Pak Journalist Claims Former PM Has Already Died
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
For months, questions over former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan's health and continued detention have fuelled speculation about his wellbeing. The latest wave of rumours follows an unverified claim by Pakistani journalist Wajahat Saeed Khan, who said three senior military sources at Pakistan Army headquarters in Rawalpindi believed Khan may have died in jail.
No Verified Evidence Of Imran Khan’s Death
There is no verified evidence that Imran Khan has died. The latest claim is based on what the journalist described as the views of three senior military sources who, he acknowledged, had not personally seen Khan dead.
The speculation has gained traction after Khan's family, lawyers, PTI colleagues and doctors reportedly faced difficulties accessing him at Adiala Jail. His sisters have raised concerns about his condition, while the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has demanded an independent medical assessment.
Why Is Imran Khan In Jail?
Khan has been imprisoned since August 5, 2023, and is serving a 14-year sentence in the £190-million Al-Qadir Trust corruption case. His wife, Bushra Bibi, is serving a seven-year sentence in the same case. Both have challenged their convictions.
Khan also faces cases connected to the May 9, 2023 protests, when PTI supporters attacked military installations across Pakistan. The former premier has repeatedly described his incarceration as unlawful and accused the military establishment of targeting him.
PTI Threatens Mass Mobilisation
The uncertainty surrounding Khan's wellbeing has also intensified tensions between the PTI and Pakistan's military-backed establishment.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister and PTI leader Sohail Afridi has claimed that more than two million people are ready to take to the streets. He warned that anger among Pakistan's youth could become difficult for the authorities to contain.
The PTI has announced a long march towards Islamabad on September 27. Afridi has also threatened protests before then if Khan's family, lawyers and doctors continue to be denied access to him.
US Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over Detention
The controversy has also drawn attention in Washington. At least 13 bipartisan US lawmakers have urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to raise the detention conditions of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi with Islamabad.
Their letter referred to concerns raised by UN Special Rapporteur on torture Alice Jill Edwards over Khan's prolonged solitary confinement. The lawmakers also cited reports concerning his deteriorating eyesight and alleged restrictions on medical care and family visits.
Imran Khan’s Long-Running Clash With Pakistan’s Military
Khan's imprisonment is closely linked to his confrontation with Pakistan's military establishment, currently headed by Field Marshal Asim Munir.
The relationship deteriorated after Khan's removal as prime minister in April 2022. Following the May 9 violence, the military launched a major crackdown on PTI leaders and supporters, with some cases being tried in military courts.
For now, the central claim remains unverified. But restricted access to Khan, concerns over his detention conditions, international scrutiny and the PTI's threat of mass protests have created a volatile situation around the former prime minister.
