Pakistani authorities have firmly dismissed a surge of online rumours claiming former Prime Minister Imran Khan had died in custody or been secretly moved from Adiala Jail. Officials at the Rawalpindi prison said the 72-year-old remained inside the facility, was in stable health and continued to receive his regular medical check-ups. They stressed that circulating reports about a transfer, medical emergency or death were false.
The rumours intensified after Khan’s sisters alleged they were assaulted outside Adiala Jail while trying to meet him last week. They also claimed they had been denied access to their brother for over three weeks. Their allegations, combined with an Afghan news report, ignited a wave of speculation suggesting Khan had died due to mistreatment and that his body had been removed from the prison. These claims spread rapidly on social media, pushing his name into global trending lists.
Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, demanded an immediate official clarification and insisted that family visits be restored without delay. In response, Pakistani authorities reiterated that Khan’s health remained stable and that he continued to receive the same facilities he had been granted since his incarceration began.
Government representatives stated that the former prime minister was being held under conditions far better than those typically provided to prisoners. They said his cell included amenities such as a comfortable bed, access to television and exercise equipment, and meals that exceeded standard jail provisions. Officials argued that comparisons to harsher conditions faced by other political detainees were misleading.
Imran Khan has been in custody since August 2023 and is currently facing several legal cases, including corruption and terrorism-related charges. His imprisonment followed his removal from office in 2022 through a no-confidence vote. Despite continuous legal battles and political tensions, officials maintain that he remains in good health and that recent rumours are part of an ongoing campaign of misinformation surrounding his detention.
