As former Prime Minister Imran Khan approaches three full years in prison, Amnesty International has urged Pakistan’s government to release him, saying his detention has been marked by repeated violations of his fundamental rights and fair trial guarantees.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Amnesty International called on the authorities to end what it described as unlawful restrictions on Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi Khan. The human rights organization also demanded that both be allowed regular access to their families, lawyers, and proper medical care, according to The Express Tribune.
Khan has been in custody since August 5, 2023. He is currently imprisoned at Adiala Jail after being convicted in the £190 million corruption case. He also faces several pending cases, including charges under Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act linked to the May 9, 2023, protests.
Amnesty International South Asia Acting Regional Director Isabelle Lassee said Pakistani authorities had systematically denied Khan his right to a fair trial while keeping him in prolonged solitary confinement. She also expressed concern over restrictions on his medical treatment and family visits.
According to Amnesty, Khan has not been allowed to meet his family for more than eight months, while reports suggest his eyesight has worsened significantly. The organization also said that both Khan and Bushra Bibi have been denied regular access to their legal counsel since December 2025.
The rights group urged the government to immediately restore their legal and family visitation rights, provide adequate medical treatment, and end what it called their unlawful solitary confinement. It also called on authorities to respect the right to peaceful protest ahead of planned gatherings by Khan’s family, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and supporters, warning against any repeat of crackdowns on demonstrators.
International concern has continued to grow. Last week, United Nations Special Rapporteur Alice Jill Edwards voiced alarm over reports that Khan was being denied proper medical care despite serious health concerns. She urged Pakistan to ensure humane conditions of detention and allow him independent medical examination and treatment.
Khan and Bushra Bibi are also serving 17-year prison sentences in the Toshakhana-II case, which alleges they unlawfully retained a Bulgari jewellery set gifted by the Saudi crown prince. PTI has repeatedly claimed that Khan is suffering from a serious eye condition and has accused prison authorities of delaying essential treatment.
The government has maintained that Khan has received medical attention, stating that specialists at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences carried out a minor eye procedure after obtaining his written consent. Doctors later confirmed he received an anti-VEGF injection to treat a retinal vein condition in his right eye.
The renewed appeal from Amnesty International adds to growing international scrutiny of Pakistan’s handling of Imran Khan’s imprisonment, placing fresh focus on human rights, judicial fairness, and political freedoms in the country.
