Post by : Rameen Ariff

Kasim Khan, the younger son of former Pakistan Prime Minister and cricket legend Imran Khan, has raised serious concerns over his father’s detention in Pakistan, drawing international attention. In recent social media posts, Kasim claimed that he and his family have been denied access to Imran Khan for over a month and appealed to human rights organisations to intervene. He warned that the Pakistani government would bear full responsibility for any consequences arising from the isolation of his father.

Kasim Khan was born in 1999 to Imran Khan and his former wife, British journalist Jemima Goldsmith. He is the younger brother of Sulaiman Isa Khan and spent the early part of his childhood in Pakistan before moving to London following his parents’ separation. Kasim pursued higher education at the University of Bristol, where he studied anthropology and innovation. In 2023, after graduating, he launched Mifu, a platform designed to connect influencers with brands and help them monetise their content. Like his elder brother, Kasim has largely stayed away from active politics, though he remains vocal about his father’s well-being.

In his recent post, Kasim highlighted the harsh conditions of his father’s incarceration, stating that Imran Khan has been held in solitary confinement for six weeks, describing it as a "death cell" environment. He lamented that his sisters had been barred from meeting their father despite court orders mandating visitation rights, and added that neither he nor his brother had any contact with their father. Kasim stressed that the Pakistani authorities and those in power would be fully responsible for his father’s safety and any repercussions from the continued isolation. Authorities have denied reports of any decline in Imran Khan’s health, affirming that he is in good condition.

Imran Khan’s family tree is well known. He was born to Ikramullah Khan Niazi, a civil engineer who played a significant role in the Pakistan movement, and Shaukat Khanum, a homemaker. Imran has four sisters: Rubina Khanum, Aleema Khanum, Uzma Khanum, and Rani Khanum. The former cricket captain has married three times. His first marriage, to Jemima Goldsmith in 1995, produced sons Sulaiman and Kasim before they divorced in 2004. His brief second marriage was to journalist Reham Khan in 2015, ending after a few months. In 2018, he married Bushra Bibi, who has been described as his spiritual guide.

Kasim Khan’s statements come amid growing public concern for the former prime minister, whose detention has sparked protests and widespread debate over human rights and legal processes in Pakistan. His calls for international attention highlight the ongoing tension surrounding Imran Khan’s imprisonment and the plight of his family, drawing attention to what his son describes as "inhumane conditions" inside the prison.

#Global News