A United Nations Special Rapporteur has raised serious concerns about the detention of PTI founder and former prime minister ** Imran Khan **. The UN official warned that his jail conditions may amount to inhuman or degrading treatment. She urged Pakistani authorities to follow international human rights standards.
According to foreign media reports, ** Imran Khan **’s legal team contacted the UN in September. They requested urgent intervention to stop alleged mistreatment of Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. The complaint focused on conditions inside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
UN Special Rapporteur Alice Jill Edwards issued a formal statement on the matter. She called on Pakistan to take immediate and effective action. She said detention conditions must meet international principles. Her remarks focused on Imran Khan jail conditions, which have become a major concern for rights groups.
Edwards stated that since his transfer to Adiala Jail on September 26, 2023, ** Imran Khan ** has allegedly faced prolonged solitary confinement. She said he is reportedly locked in his cell for up to 23 hours a day. His access to the outside world is said to be extremely limited. Continuous camera surveillance was also highlighted.
She stressed that solitary confinement should be lifted without delay. Edwards added that prolonged isolation can cause serious physical and mental harm. She urged authorities to ensure humane treatment in line with global standards.
In response, Prime Minister’s aide Rana Ihsan Afzal rejected the UN concerns. He said ** Imran Khan ** is being held under jail rules and the prison manual. He claimed there are no violations of law or procedure.
Afzal stated that Khan’s children are allowed to contact him. He said calls must be scheduled through proper requests. He added that the government has placed no restrictions on legal access.
The aide also said the former prime minister is receiving facilities beyond his legal rights. He described Khan as a B-Class prisoner. According to him, these facilities include exercise space, quality food, and adequate living conditions.
Despite official assurances, supporters of ** Imran Khan ** continue to raise concerns. They claim family members and lawyers face obstacles when trying to meet him. Protests and sit-ins have been held outside Adiala Jail in response.
UN Special Rapporteurs are independent experts. They are appointed by the Human Rights Council. They do not speak on behalf of the United Nations itself. Still, their statements often carry global weight.
In other news read more about: Government Considers Moving Imran Khan from Adiala Jail
The issue of Imran Khan jail conditions remains under close international watch. The case continues to draw attention from human rights groups and political observers worldwide.
