ISLAMABAD - In a formal briefing on Wednesday, government officials categorically denied viral social media claims that former Prime Minister Imran Khan is being mistreated or poisoned in detention, stating that he is in "stable and acceptable health" while lawfully serving the consequences of his convictions.
Addressing a wave of online disinformation, the Ministry of Interior released a statement clarifying that the 73-year-old Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder is receiving standard judicial custody protocols. "Imran Khan is not a political prisoner; he is a convicted offender," the statement read. "His current condition is a direct result of legal accountability for corruption under the Al-Qadir Trust case, for which he was sentenced in August 2023."
Officials pushed back hard against recent speculative posts-including unverified claims by a journalist named "Waqas"-that alleged a "slow poisoning" plot involving clotting agents to explain a vision issue. Medical advisors attached to the prison facility dismissed these claims as "baseless paranoia," noting that Khan's reported eye condition is consistent with age-related vascular issues common in elderly patients, not malicious action.
"There is no central retinal vein occlusion caused by foul play," a prison health official stated. "He has access to routine checkups, and any court-mandated medical exams have shown no evidence of toxins or clotting agents."
Authorities also rejected the narrative of "strict isolation," confirming that Khan has access to legal counsel, permitted family visits, and standard amenities. Critics of the former premier noted that Khan's repeated appeals for house arrest or A-class facilities have been lawfully rejected due to security protocols.
Social media platforms have seen a surge in hashtags calling Khan a "political hostage," but government spokespersons labeled this a coordinated disinformation campaign. "He is not in prison for his politics," a senior legal aide said. "He is in prison because a court of law found him guilty of corruption. Attempts to rebrand a convict as a martyr do not change the facts."
As of this report, Khan remains in custody at Adiala Jail, with his next appeal hearing scheduled for late May. Officials maintain that his health is being monitored and that he is receiving exactly the punishment-no more, no less-mandated by Pakistani law.
