A United Nations special rapporteur has issued a serious warning regarding Imran Khan’s imprisonment. Alice Jill Edwards stated the PTI founder is held in conditions that could amount to “inhuman or degrading treatment.” She urged Pakistani authorities to take immediate and effective action to address the reports.
The UN expert called for Khan’s detention to comply with international norms fully. “Since his transfer to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on September 26, 2023, Imran Khan has reportedly been held for excessive periods in solitary confinement,” Edwards stated. She detailed that he is confined 23 hours daily with highly restricted outside access and constant cell surveillance.
#Pakistan: Imran Khans solitary confinement and inhumane detention conditions must end – UN expert. Prolonged or indefinite solitary confinement is prohibited under int'l human rights law – and when it extends longer than 15 days, it's a form of #torture. https://t.co/m2Re8Yhyc0 pic.twitter.com/LcQK0BJel5
— UN Special Procedures (@UN_SPExperts) December 12, 2025The Prime Minister’s aide, Rana Ihsan Afzal, firmly dismissed the UN concerns. He stated Imran Khan is being kept strictly “according to prison rules and the jail manual.” Afzal claimed the former premier receives facilities “greater than his rights” as a B-class prisoner, including exercise, good food, and ample space.
He also addressed access issues, stating, “His children have access, and he should schedule [a call] and put in the appropriate request. There is no issue or obstacle from the government of Pakistan.” This contradicts claims from Khan’s supporters, who allege he is denied visits from lawyers and family.
.@elonmusk
Elon, you may recall we have met before.
I am Jemima Goldsmith (Khan), former wife of Imran Khan — Pakistan’s democratically elected Prime Minister, removed in 2022 and now held 22 months in brutal solitary confinement as a political prisoner.
Our two sons have not…
— Jemima Goldsmith (@Jemima_Khan) December 12, 2025Separately, Imran Khan’s ex-wife, Jemima Goldsmith, made a public appeal to Elon Musk. She accused platform X of “secret throttling” content about Khan’s imprisonment. Citing data from Musk’s own AI tool, Grok, she claimed her account’s reach dropped over 97% in 2025 when discussing his jail conditions.
A personal plea to @elonmusk
My two sons have not been allowed to see or speak to their father Imran Khan who has been held unlawfully (acc to the UN) for 22 months of solitary confinement.
X is the only place left where we can still tell the world he is a political prisoner…
— Jemima Goldsmith (@Jemima_Khan) December 12, 2025Khan’s sister, Uzma Khanum, met him recently and stated his health is “perfectly fine.” However, she reported he was “very angry” and alleged he was being subjected to “mental torture.” She confirmed that he remains confined to his cell for most of the day and has very limited communication.
Read: Police Use Water Cannons to Disperse Imran Khan Sisters Sit-In Outside Adiala Jail
Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023. He is serving a sentence in a corruption case and faces pending trials related to the May 9, 2023, protests. The UN rapporteur, an independent expert, does not speak for the UN itself but raises issues to the Human Rights Council.
