The Adiala Jail administration has rejected online claims about the health of incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, also breaking silence on reports that he had been moved out of prison.
Media reports citing jail officials said Khan remained inside the facility and was in good health.
“There is no truth to reports about his transfer from Adiala jail,” officials said, adding that he was receiving full medical care. They also dismissed social media speculation about his health as “baseless”, saying the jail staff continued to ensure his well-being.
Khan has been in Adiala since August 2023 and faces several cases, including corruption and terrorism, following his removal from office through a no-confidence vote in April 2022.
Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also commented on Khan’s prison conditions. He said the PTI founder enjoyed far more comfort in jail than what he experienced during his imprisonment. “Check the menu of the food that comes for him, it’s better than what a five-star hotel offers,” he said.
Asif claimed Khan had access to a television, a choice of channels, and exercise machines. He contrasted this with his own time behind bars. “We slept on cold floors, ate jail food, and had only two blankets in January with no hot water,” he said, recalling that the then superintendent had even removed the water geyser from his cell.
The minister added that Khan had been provided a double bed and a “velvet mattress”, saying he should “listen to his Washington Arena speech on the jail loudspeaker”. He urged people to “fear God”.
It may be noted that the statements from jail authorities as well as the defence minister come amid rumours regarding incarcerated Khan’s health.
The claims on Wednesday were first made by Afghan social media users and later picked up by Indian accounts.