Imran's sons raise concerns over his health in jail

LONDON:

Imran Khan's sons have cast doubt on his medical report and say they fear for their father's deteriorating health in jail while seeking permission to visit the former prime minister and urging authorities to grant access after more than two years apart.

Imran's lawyer, Barrister Salman Safdar, told the Supreme Court last week that the ex-premier had lost significant vision in his right eye while in custody. A medical board said on Monday the swelling had reduced after treatment and his vision had improved.

Speaking to Reuters in London, where they are based, Khan's sons, Kasim and Sulaiman, 26 and 29, said they were uncertain about the medical report. They spoke to their father on Thursday for the first time since September.

They said their father usually avoids discussing his health, but during the call he expressed frustration, saying he had been denied treatment for his eye for a few months.

"It's hard not to feel low at times because we've been away from him so long," Kasim said of his father, adding that he should be moved to a proper medical facility and have access to his private doctors. Authorities say medical procedures are under way and reject opposition claims of neglect.

Imran, 73, has been jailed since August 2023 after convictions he and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party call politically motivated.

Since his 2022 ouster in a no-confidence vote, he has faced multiple cases, including over state gifts and an unlawful marriage. Some convictions have been suspended or overturned, with appeals pending. He denies wrongdoing.

Kasim and Sulaiman were raised in Britain after Imran's divorce from their mother, British socialite and filmmaker Jemima Goldsmith.