Kasim and Sulaiman Khan have accused the British government of failing to do enough for their imprisoned father, as concerns over Imran Khan’s health and treatment continue to grow.
Imran Khan’s sons, Kasim Khan and Sulaiman Khan, have spoken out publicly about the emotional toll of their father’s long imprisonment and criticized the British government for failing to respond in real time. This came as the former Pakistan captain’s health, prison conditions, and access to independent medical care were under increasing pressure.
Kasim and Sulaiman describe their family’s situation as “agonising limbo” in Pakistan with Khan still behind bars. Their central message has been straightforward and deeply personal: they want their father to return home.
The two brothers have also criticized the British government's response and said officials have not done enough to support the family or raise the situation of Khan. They have called for London to be more active in the case as the former prime minister remains in prison.
‘We Just Want Our Father Back’
Khan’s sons’ issue is not just a political issue; it’s also one of personal family. In public, they have spoken about the long-distance separation with their father since his imprisonment in August 2023.
Kasim and Sulaiman have repeatedly raised questions about their father’s welfare as questions about his medical treatment mount. Their current appeal has also brought new international attention to Khan’s situation and the wider political debate surrounding his imprisonment.
The brothers also argued the British government should do more, saying its approach has been “opposite of helpful” in their efforts concerning their father.
Brian Lara Voices Concern Over Khan’s Treatment
The latest intervention comes as former international cricketers increasingly speak out about Khan’s welfare. West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara recently joined calls for the former Pakistan captain to receive proper medical treatment and dignified care while in prison.
Lara wrote on social media that he had developed respect for Khan even when he met him only a handful of times in their playing careers. The former West Indies batsman said he couldn't understand how someone who had once been hope and inspiration for Pakistan is now in a situation where concerns were being raised about his medical care.
Lara supported calls for independent medical treatment and said Khan deserves dignity and compassion. He also framed the issue as one of basic humanity rather than political allegiance.
His comments followed an appeal by 21 former international cricket captains who urged Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to provide Khan with appropriate medical attention and welfare. The group included Indian cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar.
Supreme Court Intervention Over Medical Care
Khan’s health was also in the headlines in August when Pakistan’s Supreme Court intervened.
On August 18, the court ordered authorities to move Khan from Adiala Jail to Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital within two days. The order directed him to meet and be evaluated by a multidisciplinary medical board. His family and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf filed court papers to seek medical treatment for him.
Pakistan’s government then challenged the order, saying Khan’s transfer and medical treatment should be handled according to existing prison regulations. The Supreme Court registrar later returned the government’s review petition because it lacked procedural rigor.
Khan was finally taken out of Adiala Jail on the night of August 20 for a medical examination. But he was returned to custody within hours. Government officials said doctors had examined him and considered him medically fit to remain in prison.
His family and supporters disputed the authorities’ handling of the matter, claiming the Supreme Court’s directives had not been fully implemented. They also pointed to Khan’s case in which Khan was taken to the government-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, not the Shifa International Hospital as directed by the court.
More Than Three Years In Prison
Khan, 73, has been imprisoned since August 2023. He is currently serving a 14-year sentence in a corruption case that he has said is politically motivated.
His legal troubles have involved multiple cases since his removal from office, but several convictions have since been suspended or overturned on appeal.
Khan’s continued imprisonment has been a political flashpoint in Pakistan, and his critics say the cases are part of a broader effort to sideline him from politics. Pakistani authorities have said the legal proceedings are being conducted through the country’s judicial system.
With growing international concern over Khan’s health and treatment, Khan’s sons and former cricketing figures are speaking up and saying more about his prison conditions. For Kasim and Sulaiman, though, the issue is still very personal: after three years of separation, they are still calling for their father to come back and for more international attention to his case.
