ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) strongly rejected media reports on Tuesday claiming that party founder Imran Khan had prohibited his sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, from visiting Pakistan or participating in efforts for his release.
The reports emerged after certain media outlets cited Imran as allegedly telling reporters at Adiala Jail that his sons would not be coming to Pakistan or leading any protests. Imran has been incarcerated since August 2023 in connection with the £190 million corruption case and also faces charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to the May 9, 2023, protests.
PTI Central Information Secretary Waqas Akram dismissed the reports as baseless. “Imran Khan sahib has absolutely not stopped his children from coming to Pakistan,” he said, urging the media to accurately report Khan’s statements instead of misrepresenting them.
He added, “There should be no doubt that Imran Khan’s children will come to Pakistan. Only the date remains undecided. When they informed their father of their decision, they made it clear they weren’t seeking permission, just notifying him.”
Imran’s sister, Aleema Khan, had earlier stated the brothers would travel to the US before arriving in Pakistan as part of a campaign to support their father.
In contrast, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif dismissed the issue as a “drama,” alleging political motives behind the narrative.
Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry said Sulaiman and Kasim were welcome in Pakistan and would be granted visas within 24 hours, provided they stayed within legal limits. Meanwhile, Law Minister Barrister Aqeel Malik noted that, as British citizens, the brothers cannot legally engage in political activity under Pakistani law.
Despite conflicting statements from government officials, including some PML-N members supporting their right to visit, the situation remains politically charged. PTI continues to emphasize that any claims of Imran barring his sons are nothing more than media distortion.
