The United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on torture, Alice Jill Edwards, has called on the Pakistani government to immediately end former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s solitary confinement and inhumane detention conditions. In a post on X on December 12, 2025, Edwards warned that Khan’s treatment could amount to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
Two years in solitary confinement
Imran Khan has been held in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, since September 26, 2023. He has been kept in prolonged solitary confinement, spending 23 hours a day in a small cell with extremely limited contact with the outside world. The cell is under continuous camera surveillance, with minimal natural light and poor ventilation. Extreme temperatures during summer and winter, along with stagnant air, have caused foul odors and insect infestations. These conditions have reportedly led Khan to experience nausea, vomiting and significant weight loss.
He is not allowed outdoor exercise, interaction with other inmates or participation in congregational prayers. Meetings with family members and lawyers are often blocked or cut short, further restricting his contact with the outside world.
Legal concerns and UN follow-up
According to international human rights law, prolonged or indefinite solitary confinement is prohibited. Solitary confinement exceeding 15 days is considered psychological torture. Edwards emphasised that Khan’s isolation must be immediately ended, describing it as unlawful and potentially causing serious physical and mental harm. She stressed that all detainees are entitled to humane and dignified treatment and called on Pakistan to comply fully with international standards.
The UN expert has formally raised Khan’s case with the Pakistani government and will continue to monitor the situation, conducting follow-ups as necessary. Alice Jill Edwards is an independent expert appointed to the UN Human Rights Council. This statement adds significant international pressure on Pakistan regarding Khan’s detention, though the government has not issued any official response yet.
Background on Imran Khan’s imprisonment
Since 2023, Khan has been convicted in several corruption cases. His most severe sentence came in January 2025 in the Al-Qadir Trust case, involving allegations of receiving land as a bribe from a real estate developer during his tenure as Prime Minister. He has also been convicted in cases related to illegal sale of government gifts (Toshakhana case), leaking state documents (Sefer case) and illegal marriage (Iddat case). Khan and his party, PTI, have maintained that these cases are politically motivated to prevent him from returning to power. Some of his earlier sentences are currently suspended pending appeal.
