Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan isn’t just serving time. His family is paying the price too. For nearly two years, he’s been locked up in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. And now, his sons aren’t even allowed to speak to him on the phone.
So the question is: is this justice or punishment by design?
Arrested, Sentenced, and Silenced
Imran Khan was arrested on August 5, 2023, in the Toshakhana case. Since then, the charges have piled up: corruption, leaking diplomatic cables, unlawful marriage under Islamic law—you name it. Some convictions have been suspended, others overturned. But here’s the thing: he’s still in prison. And it’s not just about the cases anymore. It’s about isolation.
Jemima Speaks Out
Khan’s ex-wife, Jemima Goldsmith, isn’t staying quiet. She recently accused the Pakistani government of weaponizing access—keeping a father from his sons. She says their two sons, Suleman and Qasim, haven’t spoken to Imran since September 2024. Forget visits. Even WhatsApp calls have been blocked, despite court permission.
Jemima’s words cut deep: “In any democratic country, this would be unthinkable.” She’s right.
A Father Held, A Family Punished
Suleman and Qasim aren’t political figures. They live in London. But that hasn’t spared them. Pakistani authorities have allegedly warned that if the boys travel to Pakistan, they could be detained too. For what? Trying to meet their father?
This isn’t just legal cruelty—it’s personal.
When Sons Spoke, The State Got Nervous
In May 2025, Suleman and Qasim made their first public appeal. They asked for international support to push for Imran’s release. It caught fire. Enough that Pakistan’s government reportedly started worrying about a fresh protest wave.
Since then, every channel to reach Imran has been blocked. If this isn’t coordinated, what is?
Who Are Suleman and Qasim?
Suleman Isa Khan was born in 1996. Qasim in 1999. Both grew up in the UK. Suleman has shown interest in politics and media. Qasim studied Islamic History at the University of Bristol and has already launched a few digital startups focused on content creators.
They’re young, educated, and—for now—outside traditional power circles. But they’re not staying silent.
They’re Not Politicians. Yet.
At the moment, neither brother is stepping into politics. But their campaign for their father’s freedom is increasingly public. They’re speaking out, rallying support, and putting Pakistan’s legal system under the global lens.
The irony? The more the state tries to silence them, the louder their message gets.
Yes, They’re Khan’s Sons. But Also Just Two Young Men
We’re not talking about militants or political agitators. These are two sons trying to speak to their father. Jemima even shared clips of the boys playing cricket—Suleman batting, Qasim bowling. Regular stuff. Except their father is behind bars, and no one’s picking up the phone on their end.
Why Is the Government So Afraid?
If Imran Khan’s sons coming to Pakistan is so threatening, what does that say? The fear isn’t about security. It’s about optics. It’s about what could happen if the public sees a family trying to reconnect, only to be shut down by the state.
This is no longer about legal procedure. It’s about control.
Let’s Break Down the Legal Maze
Here’s a snapshot of the major cases Khan is entangled in:
- Toshakhana case: Found guilty of illegally selling state gifts. Sentenced to 3 years. Suspended in April 2024.
- Al-Qadir Trust case: Allegedly received land as a bribe via a real estate deal. He and his wife were sentenced to 14 years in Jan 2025.
- Cipher case: Accused of leaking a confidential diplomatic cable. Sentenced to 10 years in Jan 2024, acquitted in June 2024.
- Unlawful marriage case: Charged with marrying Bushra Bibi without proper observance of Islamic law. Sentenced to 7 years in Feb 2024, overturned in July.
- May 9 riots: Facing multiple charges related to violent protests after his first arrest.
Even if half these cases collapse, the process seems designed to exhaust him.
What This Really Means
This isn’t just about law and order. It’s about who gets to speak, who gets to visit, and who gets to be heard. Imran Khan is a polarizing figure, no doubt. But stripping him of basic family contact is a step too far.
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