International Desk

Imran Khan’s sons have accused Pakistani authorities of putting their father’s life at risk in prison, with Kasim Khan alleging they are “blatantly trying to kill him”.

Kasim and his brother Sulaiman made the allegations in an interview with former England captain Michael Atherton that was broadcast by Sky Sports during the lunch break of the second England-Pakistan Test at Lord’s on Thursday, according to NDTV Sports.

The interview has also triggered a row involving the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which reportedly objected to its broadcast and subsequently lodged a complaint with Sky.

Kasim told Atherton that his father’s prison conditions had “severely worsened recently”, alleging that the former prime minister was being kept isolated for more than 23 hours a day.

“It is not very clear what they are doing, just blatantly trying to kill him in there,” he said.

He further alleged that the aim was to keep the 73-year-old former Pakistan captain for as long as possible and prevent him from speaking publicly.

The brothers also raised concerns about their father’s health, including problems with his eyesight.

Kasim said it was now “really crucial” for Khan to receive proper treatment, describing him as visibly stressed during a recent appearance.

Sulaiman, meanwhile, said the family had initially been “cautiously optimistic” that Khan would receive treatment at an independent hospital following concerns over his condition.

Instead, he said, Khan was taken to a government medical facility for a brief examination before being returned to prison.

“We were cautiously optimistic,” Sulaiman said.

Kasim and Sulaiman Khan during their interview with former England captain Michael Atherton, broadcast by Sky Sports during the second England-Pakistan Test at Lord’s.

He alleged that doctors at an independent hospital had been expecting Khan but that he was never taken there.

The claims come amid an ongoing dispute over Khan’s medical treatment.

Reuters reported on Aug 22 that Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party had filed a contempt petition alleging that the government failed to comply with a court order directing that he be taken to Shifa International Hospital for treatment. Authorities instead took him to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for a check-up before returning him to jail.

Pakistan’s information minister cited security concerns over the decision to use the government hospital.

Pakistani authorities have rejected allegations that Khan is being mistreated in custody, saying he receives appropriate medical care and prison facilities.

PCB Objects to Broadcast

The interview generated controversy beyond its political content.

The Guardian reported that the PCB tried to prevent Sky Sports from broadcasting pre-recorded, 18-minute interview during the Test and lodged a formal complaint after it aired.

The board was reportedly unhappy about political material being broadcast during Pakistan’s match and at one stage threatened that the team would not return to the field after lunch.

But the broadcaster went ahead with the scheduled transmission, and Pakistan ultimately resumed play following discussions involving the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Atherton is among a group of former international cricket captains who have raised concerns over Khan’s treatment and called for appropriate medical care.

Khan, who captained Pakistan to the 1992 World Cup title before entering politics, served as prime minister from 2018 until he was removed from office in 2022.

He has been in prison since August 2023 and is serving sentences arising from several cases. Khan and his supporters have repeatedly described the prosecutions against him as politically motivated.

The government has rejected those claims.