Is Imran Khan Dead? What Is The Truth About His Former Pak PM's Health?
Rumours of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s death have exploded across social media and news outlets, igniting fears of a custodial killing amid escalating political tensions. Supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, the political party Khan formed and ruled the troubled nation under the banner, gathered in their thousands outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail today, demanding proof of life for the 73-year-old leader, who has been held in solitary confinement since August 2023. Yet, as whispers of poisoning and assassination swirl aiming mostly at the political and military establishments, the truth remains shrouded in secrecy, with the government dismissing the claims as “baseless fabrications”.
The frenzy began earlier this week when Khan’s three sisters—Aleema, Noreen, and Uzma—were allegedly manhandled by police during a peaceful protest outside the jail. Court orders permitting family visits have been flouted for over 22 days, with even Khan’s lawyers denied access for more than a month. Aleema Khan recounted the ordeal in a tearful press conference: “We were seized by our hair and dragged away like criminals. All we want is to see our brother and confirm his well-being.” The sisters’ pleas have only fuelled speculation, with unverified reports claiming Khan’s body was secretly removed from the facility.
On X, the hashtag #WhereIsImranKhan trended globally, with users sharing graphic allegations of murder orchestrated by Army Chief Asim Munir and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). A post from the Balochistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserted that Khan had been “killed by Asim Munir and his ISI administration”, while Afghanistan Times cited a “credible source” claiming the PTI founder’s body was smuggled out post-assassination. Other viral threads invoked theories of slow poisoning, linking Khan’s reported ailments—vertigo, tinnitus, and deteriorating hearing—to deliberate sabotage. One widely shared message warned: “Khan might not be dead for now, but the army is testing public reaction ahead of the inevitable.”
This is not the first such hoax. In May 2025, a fabricated government press release announcing Khan’s death in custody was debunked by fact-checkers, sparking similar outrage. Pakistani officials, including Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, reiterated today that Khan is “alive and in good health”, blaming “anti-state elements” for the disinformation campaign. No medical reports or footage have been released, however, exacerbating distrust in a nation already reeling from economic woes and military dominance.
Khan’s incarceration stems from over 150 charges, including corruption and inciting violence, which PTI deems politically motivated retribution for his ouster in 2022. Once a national hero as a cricketer-turned-philanthropist, Khan’s anti-establishment rhetoric has made him a symbol of resistance. His isolation, coupled with bans on PTI rallies, has turned Adiala into a flashpoint. Protests today saw clashes with security forces, injuring dozens and prompting tear gas deployment.
