Security tightened around Pakistans Adiala Jail amid Imran Khans assassination rumours: What we know so far

New Delhi: Reports and speculation surrounding the welfare of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan have intensified across the region, with rumours of his possible death inside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail now circulating from Islamabad to Kabul. The unverified claims have prompted growing concern among supporters of his party, Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf, many of whom have begun moving towards the jail in protest.

Pakistan’s counter terrorism authorities have issued a high alert in response to the sudden surge in public mobilisation. Imran Khan has been imprisoned since 2023 after his arrest on corruption charges. He has been held at Adiala Jail alongside his wife, Bushra Bibi. In recent months, the former premier publicly expressed fears that he could be killed while in custody.

He had warned that if anything were to happen to him inside the prison, responsibility would lie with the country’s army chief, General Asim Munir.

Tension escalated further after protests broke out outside Adiala Jail on Tuesday, November 25. Among those present was Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, who has repeatedly voiced concerns about the complete lack of access to her brother. She said that neither she nor other family members had been permitted to meet Imran Khan for the past three weeks, despite filing multiple applications. Each request, she claimed, had been rejected without explanation.

The current wave of rumours appears to have been triggered by a report from the Afghanistan Times, which cited unnamed sources to claim that Imran Khan had died in custody. The story spread rapidly across social media, adding fuel to public anxieties. Notably, the Pakistani government has issued no official denial, and prison authorities have not released any clarifying statement.

Further uncertainty has been created by comments from Pakistani journalist Iftikhar, who told TV9 Bharatvarsh that no one had been allowed to see the former prime minister. He said that lawyers and doctors had also been refused access and added that Imran Khan had previously spoken of being unwell. According to him, Imran Khan has reportedly not been seen by anyone inside the jail for the past seven days.

The Anti Terrorism Court has meanwhile instructed authorities to tighten security around Rawalpindi, a move that many observers view as suspicious. Leaders of Imran Khan’s party maintain that they have been unable to establish any contact with him for the past two weeks and have openly expressed their growing alarm.

Disclaimer: Neither TV9 Bharatvarsh nor TV9 English confirm the rumours regarding Imran Khan’s death.