PTI condemns 1,000 days of Imran Khan's detention, demands release
Synopsis
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has marked 1,000 days of Imran Khan's imprisonment with a sharp condemnation, alleging solitary confinement, an 85% deterioration in his eyesight, and denial of family access — while his son took the fight to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, framing the case as part of a wider pattern of state repression in Pakistan since 2022.
Key Takeaways
PTI condemned the 1,000-day incarceration of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on 3 May 2025 , calling it political victimisation.
Defence counsel Barrister Salman Safdar told the Islamabad High Court that Khan's eyesight has deteriorated by 85 per cent .
Khan and wife Bushra Bibi are allegedly held in solitary confinement , with family and lawyers reportedly denied access.
The Islamabad High Court is hearing appeals in the 190 million pounds case and indicated an early hearing date.
Khan's son Kasim Khan addressed the UNHRC in Geneva in March, alleging violations of international human rights conventions and calling the detention arbitrary.
PTI also alleges the February 2024 general elections were rigged and that civilians are being tried in military courts.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on 3 May 2025 publicly condemned the 1,000-day incarceration of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, calling it a blatant act of political victimisation and demanding his immediate release. The party alleged that Khan is being held in solitary confinement at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, with his family, lawyers, and party leadership reportedly denied access to him.
PTI's Allegations of Political Victimisation
PTI Central Information Secretary Waqas Akram said in a statement that the current Pakistani government, allegedly fearful of Khan's popularity and independent political stance, is attempting to sideline him through unlawful detention. Akram further alleged that both Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, are being subjected to inhumane treatment in custody. He described the conditions as a clear violation of fundamental human and legal rights.
Health Concerns and Court Proceedings
The Islamabad High Court recently heard appeals and sentence suspension pleas in the 190 million pounds case involving Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. Defence counsel Barrister Salman Safdar raised serious concerns during the hearing, including reports that Khan's eyesight has deteriorated by 85 per cent, leaving him unable to see clearly even with one eye. Safdar noted that while he was permitted to meet Khan on 8 April, he was denied access to Bushra Bibi despite court orders. The court indicated an early hearing of the appeals in light of the health and confinement concerns raised.
Prosecution was represented by NAB prosecutors Javed Ashraf and Rafi Maqsood during the proceedings.
Kasim Khan's Appeal at UNHRC
In March 2025, Khan's son Kasim Khan addressed the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session in Geneva, describing his father's detention as arbitrary and alleging it breaches international human rights conventions. He characterised the case as not an isolated incident but as the most visible example of a broader pattern of repression in Pakistan since 2022.
Kasim Khan raised concerns about the detention of political prisoners, the trial of civilians by military courts, and journalists being, according to his account, silenced, abducted, or driven into exile. He also reiterated PTI's longstanding allegations that the February 2024 general elections in Pakistan were rigged. He argued that Pakistan's commitments under the GSP-plus framework — including obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention against Torture — were being violated.
In an emotional appeal, Kasim Khan said:
Point of View
If verified, would represent a serious breach of Pakistan's own constitutional guarantees, not merely international norms. What is notable is the internationalisation of the campaign: taking the case to the UNHRC signals that domestic legal channels are seen as exhausted or compromised. Pakistan's GSP-plus status, which hinges on human rights compliance, gives the European Union a lever it has so far been reluctant to pull — and that reluctance itself deserves scrutiny.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Imran Khan been in detention for 1,000 days?
Imran Khan has been in custody since August 2023, facing multiple cases including the 190 million pounds corruption case. PTI alleges the detention is politically motivated, while the Pakistani government maintains the prosecutions are legally valid.
What are the health concerns raised about Imran Khan in custody?
Defence counsel Barrister Salman Safdar told the Islamabad High Court that Imran Khan's eyesight has deteriorated by 85 per cent and that he is experiencing difficulty seeing even with one eye. PTI has also alleged he is being denied adequate medical care.
What is the 190 million pounds case against Imran Khan?
The 190 million pounds case is a corruption matter being heard by the Islamabad High Court, in which both Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi are accused. The court is currently considering appeals and sentence suspension pleas filed by the defence.
What did Kasim Khan say at the United Nations Human Rights Council?
Kasim Khan addressed the UNHRC session in Geneva in March 2025, calling his father's detention arbitrary and a violation of international human rights conventions. He described it as part of a wider pattern of repression in Pakistan since 2022, including the trial of civilians by military courts and suppression of journalists.
What is Pakistan's GSP-plus obligation and why is it relevant?
The GSP-plus framework grants Pakistan preferential trade access to the European Union in exchange for commitments to uphold international human rights conventions, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Convention against Torture. Kasim Khan argued at the UNHRC that Pakistan is violating these commitments through Imran Khan's detention and related actions.
