The sons of former prime minister Imran Khan have reportedly applied for visas to visit their imprisoned father, raising fresh questions over Pakistan’s treatment of the jailed leader and allegations of deliberate obstruction by authorities.

According to sources close to the family, Suleman Khan and Qasim Khan, who live abroad, are attempting to travel to Pakistan to meet their father, who has remained behind bars for months amid a series of controversial legal cases. However, concerns have emerged that Pakistani authorities are slowing or denying the visa process, preventing family access during a critical period.

Supporters of Khan and members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf have accused the government of using administrative tools to isolate the former prime minister. They claim that restricting family visits is part of a broader effort to exert pressure on Khan and weaken his political influence, even while he remains one of the country’s most popular political figures.

Legal experts and rights observers have also raised concerns about transparency and fairness, noting that prisoners are generally entitled to family visits. They argue that any delay or denial without clear justification could reinforce allegations of politically motivated targeting.

Khan, who was removed from power in 2022 and later arrested in multiple cases, has consistently claimed that the charges against him are politically driven. His continued detention, combined with restrictions on family access, has intensified criticism of Pakistan’s justice system and raised wider concerns about democratic norms and human rights.

The visa issue has further deepened tensions between Khan’s supporters and the state, with many warning that denying basic family contact risks damaging Pakistan’s international image and reinforcing perceptions of political repression. 

This image is taken from Reuters.