logo
Imran Khan's sons meet US Congressman Brad Sherman

Imran Khan's sons meet US Congressman Brad Sherman

Sulaiman Khan and Kasim Khan, sons of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, met with US Congressman Brad Sherman in Washington to kick off a campaign to garner international support for their father's release.
In a post on X, the congressman shared that he was concerned to hear that Imran remained isolated from his family, friends, attorneys, and doctors.
'His sons also shared that his physical health may be deteriorating,' Sherman wrote.
'The people of Pakistan deserve to have their leaders be treated fairly under the law.'
The meeting comes amid their plans of reportedly returning to Pakistan to join rallies in Pakistan calling for their Imran Khan's release.
The son's have been slowly gaining momentum in the media, even appearing on a recent podcast to speak out against the 'inhumane conditions' under which he was being unlawfully held.
Imran, imprisoned since August 2023, is serving a sentence at the Adiala Jail in £190 million corruption case and also faces pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to the May 9, 2023 protests.
Meanwhile, the two brothers earlier met US special presidential envoy Richard Grenell in California.
In a photo shared on X, Grenell stood alongside the Khans and US Commission on International Religious Freedom Vice Chairman Dr Asif Mahmood.
Grenell issued a rallying message: 'Stay strong… millions around the world are sick of political prosecutions. You are not alone.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Govt mulls federal constitutional court
Govt mulls federal constitutional court

Express Tribune

time8 minutes ago

  • Express Tribune

Govt mulls federal constitutional court

Listen to article Since the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment in October last year, the PML-N led federal government has remained largely successful in getting its way in courts. The most significant event is the award of convictions to 204 individuals — belonging to the PTI — in May 9 rioting cases. Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi has played a key role in expeditious trials in May 9 cases. In April, a bench led by him gave four months' deadline to anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) to complete the trials. Similarly, the Supreme Court's Constitutional Bench, which was formed by virtue of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, has also endorsed the trials of 103 May 9 rioters by military courts. Majority of convicts including PTI founder Imran Khan's nephew are behind the bar, waiting for passage of a proposed legislation for getting the right of appeal against their convictions by military courts. Despite the completion of a 45-day deadline, the government has not taken any step to give the right of appeal against military courts' decisions. The constitutional bench is also not sitting due to summer vacations. Three detailed judgements in crucial cases — related reserved seats, transfer of judges to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and military courts — are awaited. On the other hand, the government is waiting for an appropriate time to bring the 27th Constitutional Amendment. A senior government functionary admitted that the creation of a federal constitutional court is under serious consideration. Judiciary role since May 9, 2023 The judiciary's role has been vital amid the ongoing confrontation between the security establishment and the PTI, a confrontation that started after the ouster of the PTI government in April 2022. However, the establishment got disappointed, when a bench led by ex-chief justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial took up a matter related to the arrest of PTI chief Imran Khan on May 9, 2023 and directed the law enforcement agencies to present him in the court. Subsequently, the court gave relief to Imran which further upset the executive functionaries. Ex-CJP Bandial was keen to hold general elections of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies within the 90-day period but he could not do so due to various reasons. The former PML-N led government had issued notification regarding the appointment of Justice Qazi Faez Isa as the next CJP months before the retirement of Justice Bandial. After his taking charge of the SC, Justice Isa did not disappoint the present government in any important matter. Ex-CJP Isa did not take notice of the allegations of human rights violation as well as election rigging. During his term, judgment declaring civilian trials in military courts as unconstitutional was suspended, the PTI was deprived of its election symbol ahead of the February 8 election, the party's female workers and leaders could not get bail and Imran was convicted in three cases during his jail trials. Despite all these happenings, the February 8 election results were shocking for anti-PTI elements. Ex-CJP Isa was considered a "guarantor of system" which was formed after the elections. When some judges raised concerns about agencies' interference in judicial functions, Justice Isa did not back them. Lawyers believe that Justice Isa's biggest step to facilitate the executive was the elevation of ex-Lahore High Court chief justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan to the apex court. The present government was very uncomfortable with Justice Khan on account of his bold steps to ensure fairness in litigations related to election disputes and the May 9 cases. Ex-LHC CJ was the biggest hurdle in the manipulation of trials in the May 9 matters. Soon after his elevation to the SC, different ATCs judges were transferred to the satisfaction of the executive. After six IHC judges wrote a letter to Justice Isa in March last year, the executive started working on a plan to control the superior judiciary. One section of judges had made an attempt to secure the independence of judiciary by giving July 12, 2024 decision in the reserved seats case but they could not succeed. Post 26th amendment judiciary Instead of getting united for the independence of the institution, SC judges are visibly divided into two camps. The beneficiaries of constitutional amendment in the judiciary did not disappoint the present government in any issue. The executive is completely comfortable with all high courts as well as the apex court. Majority of dissenting judges have been sidelined and not included in the constitutional bench. Even the judges who were not in the good books of the executive have been sidelined in the IHC. The government's plan has also been successful in the IHC wherein they transferred three judges from other high courts. Subsequently, Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar became the IHC CJ as per the government's plan. It is being witnessed that the executive has total dominance in the process of superior courts judges' appointment after 26th Constitutional Amendment. Post 26th amendment, the PTI could not get any substantive relief in any matter. Now questions are being raised about convictions in May 9 cases. It is learnt that two senior PTI leaders recently met CJP Yahya Afridi to express apprehensions over non adherence of Article 10-A of the Constitution during the trials. There is a strong perception that "excessive and unjustified" sentences are awarded to the majority of PTI activists and lawmakers. Now all eyes are now on the LHC, which will hear the appeals against the convictions. Generally, convicts have to surrender to court before filing appeals against their convictions. One of PTI legal team members revealed that they are considering alternate strategies to plead the case against convictions. Despite passage of several months, Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi's petitions for the suspension of sentences in the 190 million pounds case have not been decided by the IHC. It will be interesting to see which LHC bench is assigned the task to hear appeals against convictions. Lawyers fear that if the situation remains the same and the convictions are awarded without adherence to due process then people will lose complete trust in the judiciary and the ultimate loser will be the justice system. The judges, who are on the driving seat in the superior judiciary, must evolve a mechanism to end the perception that post 26 amendment judiciary is working under executive influence.

Imran says no to military op in K-P
Imran says no to military op in K-P

Express Tribune

time3 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

Imran says no to military op in K-P

PTI founder Imran Khan said in a "clear message" to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Saturday that the federation should not be allowed to conduct another military operation in the province and its tribal areas. In a message from Imran posted on Saturday on his X account, which is not operated by him, the ex-premier said regarding any operation in KP: "I convey a clear message to Ali Amin that the federation must not be allowed to conduct another military operation in KP and the tribal areas. "Confrontation between the army and the people destroys the institution of the army. Operations are not a solution to any problem. Issues should be resolved through dialogue in accordance with the system there. Afghanistan is our Muslim neighbouring country. Relations with them should also be improved, and issues should be addressed through discussions." Responding to the party founder's instruction from his personal account, Gandapur said that keeping in mind Imran's thinking, he had hosted today the first of several jirgas on restoring law and order in the province. Toshakhana II case Incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan has confirmed that he has been allowed to talk to his sons, who live in London and that he has been also provided newspapers in his prison cell at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail where he is detained since September 2023. Imran told this to Special Judge (Central) Shahrukh Arjumand on Saturday during the hearing of the Toshakhana II case in a courtroom inside the famous prison in the garrison city. The PTI founder stated that jail authorities allowed him to talk to Kasim and Sulaiman over phone for more than an hour. He confirmed that his television set in the prison cell was working and that he was also getting daily newspapers. During the hearing of the Toshakhana II case, the testimony of NAB Assistant Director Aftab Ahmed was officially recorded. Bushra Bibi's lawyer, Arshad Tabraiz, completed his cross-examination of the witness Aftab Ahmed. Imran Khan's lawyer, Qausain Mufti, will cross-examine the witness at the next hearing. The court summoned two more witnesses, Rabia and Sana, to record their statements at the next hearing and later adjourned further proceedings of the case until August 6. Bushra Bibi, who is also detained at the same prison, was also present in the courtroom. Talking to reporters, Imran said that his children would only come to Pakistan to meet him and would not participate in politics or any protest movement. Earlier, Imran's sister Aleema Khan had announced the PTI founder's sons would come to Pakistan and lead a protest against his detention. Imran's sons Aleema Khan, sister of PTI Patron-in-Chief Imran Khan, has strongly denied claims that her brother barred his sons from visiting Pakistan, saying they had applied for National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (Nicops) as well as visas to visit Pakistan. On Friday, Aleema said both Qasim and Sulaiman and were waiting for approval from the interior ministry. Responding to the comments, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry asked why they would need visas if they had the Nicop, as she had previously claimed. Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail on Saturday, she clarified that Imran's sons possess a NICOP, but it has been lost. "The Nicop of one [of the brothers] is missing and the other can't find his card so they've submitted two applications: one to issue their Nicop, which is valid for the next six to seven years and they have also applied for the visa which can be issued within an hour."

Govt creating visa hurdles to IK's sons: PTI
Govt creating visa hurdles to IK's sons: PTI

Business Recorder

time5 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Govt creating visa hurdles to IK's sons: PTI

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday accused the government of deliberately obstructing the visa process for former prime minister Imran Khan's sons, who intend to travel to Pakistan to visit their father, currently imprisoned. Talking to journalists, PTI spokesman Sheikh Waqas Akram said the sons of Imran Khan — Suleman and Kasim — are Pakistani nationals holding National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOPs), and should be legally allowed to enter the country. The party alleged that the authorities have not responded to the visa applications submitted to the Pakistan High Commission in London. Akram said both applications had been filed and assigned tracking numbers, but claimed that officials cited the need for clearance from Islamabad and the Ministry of Interior, followed by a lack of response. 'IK's sons submit visa applications' 'The Ministry of Interior has stated that visa issuance falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ambassador,' he said, adding that this contradicted official statements that no applications had been received. PTI also released NICOP details for both sons. Kasim's NICOP expired in 2021 and is currently under renewal, while Suleman's document remains valid until 2030. The party called on the government to facilitate their entry rather than delay it, describing the obstruction as politically motivated. Separately, PTI condemned what it described as a crackdown on party members and the closure of motorways ahead of its planned nationwide protest on August 5. The Punjab government said the restrictions were related to the visit of the Iranian president. PTI has called for mass demonstrations to demand judicial independence, media freedom, and the release of its leader. The party maintains that Imran Khan's imprisonment is politically driven and unconstitutional. Khan, a former cricket star and prime minister from 2018 to 2022, has faced multiple legal challenges since his ouster from office. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store