Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has sharply criticized Jemima Goldsmith after she expressed concerns about the health and safety of her ex-husband, Imran Khan, in prison.
In a recent post on social media platform X, Jemima highlighted the “grave and distressing” conditions Khan is facing, claiming that Pakistani authorities have prevented family members and legal representatives from visiting him and postponed all court hearings.
In response, Khawaja Asif accused Jemima of exaggerating the circumstances, asserting that Khan is receiving “constant leniency,” in stark contrast to the treatment meted out to his political opponents during his time in power.
He pointed to the case of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was not allowed to speak to his dying wife while incarcerated, and noted that many opposition leaders were imprisoned without charges during Khan’s administration.
Jemima’s post emphasized her sons’ inability to contact their father, stating that his weekly calls to Sulaiman and Qasim have been cut off since early September. She alleged that Khan is being held in solitary confinement with no electricity in his cell and that his meals have been disrupted due to the absence of the prison cook.
She clarified that her appeal for Khan’s release is “not politically motivated” but stems from genuine concern for her children and their father’s health. Jemima also mentioned that family members, including Khan’s sisters and nephew, have faced harassment from authorities, with his sisters recently detained during a protest.
Imran Khan has been in jail since August 2023 after being convicted in a corruption case. Restrictions on his media appearances and family visits have been imposed due to security concerns at Adiala Jail, where all inmate visits are suspended until October 18.
However, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, chairman of Khan’s PTI party, confirmed that medical professionals were recently allowed to see him. “By the grace of God, Khan sahib is in good health and even completed an hour of exercise today,” he reported, adding that medical reports would be released soon and expressing gratitude for ongoing support.
