Imran Khan’s Sons Urge Global Leaders to Intervene for His Release

Imran Khan’s sons, Suleman and Qasim, have broken their silence to publicly urge global leaders, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, to intervene for their father’s release from prison. In a recent online interview, the brothers expressed their deep concern for Khan’s well-being, particularly regarding his detention conditions at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, where he has been held since August 2023. Khan, who served as Pakistan’s Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022, was sentenced to over ten years in prison on corruption charges, a conviction he and his family consider politically motivated. With over 100 charges against him, including allegations of divulging state secrets, his sons emphasized that all legal avenues within Pakistan had been exhausted, and they are now seeking international pressure for his release.

The call for intervention has gained international attention, with figures like Richard Grenell, former U.S. Ambassador to Germany, voicing their support for Khan. Grenell, a known ally of Trump, has drawn parallels between Khan’s situation and Trump’s own legal challenges, criticizing the U.S. State Department’s response as insufficient. He urged stronger action, highlighting the cordial relationship between Trump and Khan during the latter’s tenure as Prime Minister. This plea for international support has sparked further global condemnation of Khan’s imprisonment, drawing attention to the political implications of his detention.

However, the Pakistani government has firmly rejected any foreign interference in its judicial matters. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s adviser, Rana Sanaullah, made it clear that Pakistan would not bow to external pressure regarding Khan’s release, labeling such interventions as a violation of the country’s sovereignty. This position underscores the delicate balance between Pakistan’s internal legal processes and the growing international advocacy for Khan’s freedom, making his case one of complex international and domestic political tension.