ISLAMABAD – Dr Uzma Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has alleged that the former prime minister told her he was being subjected to severe mistreatment and torture while being kept in solitary confinement.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Dr Uzma said Imran Khan had asked her to convey to others that he was facing serious hardship in detention.
According to her, Imran Khan told her, “Tell everyone that I am being subjected to severe torture,” and compared his treatment to the circumstances surrounding the death of former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, who died in custody after being held in isolation.
Dr Uzma said she and other family members were called to Adiala Jail at around 8:30pm. She claimed she was initially taken to the office of DSP Saqlain before being transported in a small vehicle to what appeared to be a secluded area.
She said she was later informed that the location was the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where Imran Khan was present.
Dr Uzma said Imran Khan told police officials that his sister was meeting him after around 10 months. She said he welcomed her warmly before she informed him that he was supposed to be taken to Al-Shifa Hospital for a medical examination.
According to Dr Uzma, doctors at PIMS asked about the eye drops being used by Imran Khan and checked his blood pressure. She said doctors subsequently told them that an injection had to be administered to his eye.
She alleged that they were repeatedly moved between different locations and made to wait for extended periods.
According to her, Imran Khan told her that a doctor had attributed his deteriorating condition to a lack of human contact.
Dr Uzma further claimed that after an injection was administered to one of Imran Khan’s eyes, the other eye was covered with a bandage. She said she repeatedly asked whether they were being taken to Al-Shifa Hospital but received no clear response.
She said a doctor who identified himself as Dr Arif was present, while she had no access to a phone or watch. She recalled that the call to prayer for Fajr was being heard when they were eventually taken back to Adiala Jail.
Dr Uzma said Imran Khan was not suffering from high blood pressure but was experiencing severe anxiety. She alleged that he repeatedly complained about being subjected to mistreatment for the past 10 months.
She also criticised the treatment of the family members, saying they were treated as though they were prisoners despite not being in custody.
