UN Demands Pakistan to Improve Imran Khan's Jail Conditions Amid Torture Claims

A UN expert has urged the Pakistani government to improve the detention conditions of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently held in solitary confinement, potentially violating international human rights laws. The UN expressed concerns over Khan's deteriorating health and called for compliance with international standards.

A United Nations expert has called on the Government of Pakistan to revise the detention conditions of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, citing them as "inhumane and undignified." The UN Special Rapporteur on torture, Alice Jill Edwards, emphasized that prolonged solitary confinement, exceeding 15 days, amounts to psychological torture under international human rights law.

Imran Khan, 73, has been in solitary confinement in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, since August 2023. Reports indicate his restricted access to outdoor activities and interactions, along with frequent interruptions of meetings with legal representatives and family. Edwards urged Pakistani authorities to align Khan's detention conditions with international norms without delay.

Additionally, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province's Chief Minister, Muhammad Sohaib Afridi, alleged that Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi face mistreatment in jail. Afridi's repeated request to meet Khan was denied by jail authorities. The situation has drawn international attention, prompting the UN to monitor any developments closely.

(With inputs from agencies.)