Jemima Goldsmith demands urgent release of Imran Khan

Jemima Goldsmith, the ex-wife of former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan, has called for his immediate release, raising alarm over his reported treatment in prison.

In a detailed post on social media platform X, Goldsmith expressed grave concerns about Khan’s conditions, which she described as “serious and concerning.”

Goldsmith revealed that since early September, Pakistani authorities have blocked all access to Khan, preventing visits from both his family and lawyers.

She also mentioned that court hearings have been delayed, and Khan has been unable to contact his two sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, who reside in London.

Additionally, the electricity in his cell has been cut off, and he has not been allowed any time outside. The jail cook was also reportedly sent on leave.

“He is now completely isolated, in solitary confinement, literally in the dark, with no contact with the outside world,” Goldsmith wrote. She was married to Khan, the former captain of Pakistan’s national cricket team, from 1995 to 2004.

Khan, 72, who served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 to 2022, has faced a series of legal battles since his removal through a parliamentary no-confidence vote, which he claims was orchestrated by the country’s military establishment.

He has been embroiled in more than 200 legal cases and has been detained since August 2023, with a ban on his candidacy for political office.

In July, a panel of UN experts condemned Khan’s detention as arbitrary and a violation of international law, suggesting it was intended to obstruct his political aspirations.

Goldsmith also highlighted the harassment faced by Khan’s family, noting that his sisters and nephew had been unlawfully arrested and imprisoned. She herself has received death and rape threats from Khan’s political adversaries.

Jemima Goldsmith stressed that the release of Khan, his relatives, and the restoration of his contact with his sons are critical to ensuring his safety and well-being.

“I disagree with IK on many political issues,” she acknowledged. “But this is not about politics — it’s about my children’s father, his human rights, and international law.”

Imran Khan has recently applied to become the next chancellor of Britain’s Oxford University, despite his ongoing legal and political challenges in Pakistan.