The past 48 hours have seen a wave of alarming rumours across Pakistan and beyond suggesting that former Prime Minister Imran Khan had been murdered inside Adiala Jail, where he remains incarcerated. The allegations — shared widely on social media and amplified by some Afghan media outlets — triggered panic among supporters and drew thousands of protestors to the gates of the jail.
The speculation began after reports that Khan’s three sisters, who had gathered outside the jail demanding to meet him, were violently assaulted by police. Their account of the alleged brutality — including being dragged and beaten — sent shockwaves through the country, fueling fears that the worst had happened to their brother.
As chaos threatened to engulf Rawalpindi, authorities at Adiala Jail issued a formal statement dismissing claims of Khan’s death. They affirmed that the former premier remains “inside the prison and in good health,” under regular medical supervision and receiving necessary care.
Despite the denials, frustration and anger have mounted among supporters and rights-watchers who say the atmosphere of secrecy and restricted access around Khan’s detention is contributing to distrust. Over the past months, his party — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) — has repeatedly raised concerns about the conditions of his detention, claiming he is being held in solitary confinement, denied proper visitation rights, and subjected to treatment meant to break his will.
