Death Rumors Ignite Massive Protests in Pakistan as Imran Khan Remains Imprisoned

Unverified rumors claiming the death of Pakistan’s imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan ignited violent protests and widespread panic across the country on Wednesday, forcing authorities to issue multiple official clarifications dismissing the speculation as baseless. The social media-fueled rumors, which exploded across global trending lists, have exposed deep mistrust between Khan’s supporters and the Pakistani government while raising critical questions about transparency in his detention and treatment within Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.

The death rumors erupted on social media platforms after an Afghan-based news account called Afghan Times posted unsubstantiated claims that Khan had been “mysteriously killed” in custody and his body removed from the prison. The post alleged that “a credible source from Pakistan has confirmed to Afghanistan Times that PTI Chairman Imran Khan has allegedly been mysteriously killed.” The claim spread rapidly across X (formerly Twitter), with the hashtag “Where is Imran Khan?” trending internationally as thousands of social media users shared unverified theories and doctored images, including photographs allegedly showing Khan on a stretcher. Fact-checkers later identified that the circulated images were from 2022 and did not relate to current events.

The rumors gained credibility within Pakistan due to legitimate grievances raised by Khan’s immediate family. His three sisters, Noreen Niazi, Aleema Khan, and Dr. Uzma Khan, had publicly alleged that they were “brutally assaulted” outside Adiala Jail when attempting to visit their brother during the preceding days. The sisters claimed they had been systematically denied access to Imran Khan for over three weeks, heightening concerns about his whereabouts and condition. In a live-streamed address outside the jail, Aleema Khan questioned authorities directly: “Who knows, maybe Imran has been shifted. Why are they not letting us meet him?” These escalating concerns provided fertile ground for the death rumors to gain traction among PTI supporters already predisposed to distrust the government.

Responding to the unconfirmed reports, thousands of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters descended on Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Wednesday evening, attempting to storm the facility and demanding proof of Khan’s survival. The protests quickly turned chaotic as security forces deployed to contain the situation. However, officials reported that the situation was brought under control after jail authorities assured Aleema Khan that a meeting with her brother would be arranged immediately.

Pakistan’s government moved swiftly to counter the rumors through multiple official channels. The Adiala Jail administration issued a comprehensive statement declaring that Khan remained inside the facility and was in good health. “There is no truth to reports about his transfer from Adiala jail. He is fully healthy and receiving complete medical attention,” the jail administration stated on Thursday morning. The jail authorities emphasized that speculation about Khan’s health was “baseless” and that all necessary care continued to be provided to the incarcerated former premier. Furthermore, the prison authorities clarified that reports suggesting Khan had been moved to another location were “entirely unfounded.”

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif provided additional details about Khan’s detention conditions to counter claims of mistreatment. Asif contrasted Khan’s current jail accommodations with his own previous imprisonments, noting that Imran was receiving superior treatment compared to what Asif had experienced behind bars. “Check the menu of the food that comes for him. It is not available even in a five-star hotel,” Asif stated, according to reporting by Geo News. He detailed that Khan had been provided a double bed with a velvet mattress, had access to a television, exercise equipment, and other amenities. Asif’s comments sought to rebut allegations that Khan was being held in inhumane conditions or solitary confinement.

However, the government’s clarifications failed to fully suppress public concern. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leadership issued its own statement demanding stronger action from authorities. On Thursday morning, PTI officials called on the government and the Interior Ministry to provide “a formal and transparent statement” regarding Khan’s health, security, and current status. The party demanded that the government arrange immediate meetings between Khan and his family members, lawyers, and party representatives. PTI leadership emphasized that the nation would “not tolerate any uncertainty regarding the status of Imran Khan” and held the government directly responsible for protecting his security, human rights, and constitutional rights.

The PTI also announced plans for sustained political pressure. According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi, the party has decided to hold peaceful protests outside the Islamabad High Court every Tuesday, followed by marches to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi where party members and Khan’s sisters plan sit-ins. The strategy reflects the PTI’s determination to maintain public pressure on authorities regarding Khan’s treatment and legal status. Afridi stated that all members of the party’s parliamentary delegations, from both national and provincial assemblies and the Senate, would participate in these weekly demonstrations scheduled beginning the following week.

Khan, who is 72 years old, has been imprisoned since August 2023 on multiple charges that his party characterizes as politically motivated prosecutions. He faces an extensive array of criminal cases, ranging from terrorism allegations to corruption accusations. His imprisonment has become increasingly controversial internationally, with human rights organizations expressing concern about the conditions of his detention and access to legal counsel. The former cricket captain’s incarceration has generated significant political divisions, with his supporters viewing his detention as a tool of political suppression by the current establishment, while the government maintains that Khan faces legitimate criminal charges.

The episode demonstrates the fragility of public trust in Pakistan’s judicial system and government institutions regarding Khan’s case. Despite official reassurances about his condition and location, substantial segments of the Pakistani population remain skeptical of state statements. The rapid propagation of unverified death rumors, the massive mobilization of supporters responding to those rumors, and the government’s perceived need to issue multiple clarifications collectively suggest an environment of profound institutional mistrust. International observers have noted that Pakistan’s handling of Khan’s case continues to attract scrutiny from international human rights bodies, further complicating the government’s efforts to manage public narratives regarding his imprisonment.