The recent announcement by the Pakistani government to arrest Imran Khan’s sons—Qasim Khan and Sulaiman Khan—upon their arrival in Pakistan is a deeply troubling move that reeks of political vendetta rather than justice. The brothers, who are British nationals, have expressed their intention to return to Pakistan to advocate for their father’s release and participate in political activities. Instead of upholding their legal and moral right to stand by their father, the government has chosen intimidation, further exposing its authoritarian tendencies.
For years, the ruling coalition has criticized Imran Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, alleging that his family members were avoiding Pakistan while the former prime minister faced legal battles. Now that his sons have decided to return, the government’s threat to arrest them reveals its hypocrisy. If the authorities were genuinely concerned about accountability, they would allow them to enter the country and face any legitimate legal proceedings—not preemptively declare them guilty.
The government’s move suggests fear rather than fairness. Imran Khan remains the most popular political leader in Pakistan, and his sons’ return could galvanize public support for his release. By attempting to silence them before they even step foot in the country, the state is undermining the very principles of democracy and justice it claims to uphold.
Imran Khan’s ex-wife, Jemima Khan, has rightly condemned the government’s stance, stating that her sons have every right to protest for their father’s freedom. As British citizens, Qasim and Sulaiman’s arrest could also strain Pakistan’s relations with the United Kingdom. The UK government takes the welfare of its nationals seriously, and any mistreatment could lead to diplomatic complications. Pakistan, already grappling with economic and political instability, cannot afford further isolation.
Moreover, the optics of arresting young men who simply wish to stand by their father would be disastrous. It would reinforce the perception that Pakistan’s current administration is more interested in crushing dissent than upholding human rights. Such actions deepen societal divisions and erode trust in state institutions.
Every citizen—or in this case, every individual with familial and emotional ties to Pakistan—has the right to engage in peaceful political activities. If the government has credible evidence of wrongdoing, it should present it in a court of law rather than resorting to threats. A transparent legal process would lend credibility to the state’s actions, whereas arbitrary arrests only fuel public anger and reinforce narratives of political persecution.
The PTI has long argued that Imran Khan’s incarceration is politically motivated. By blocking his sons from even entering the country, the government is inadvertently validating those claims. If the authorities are confident in their cases against Imran Khan, they should have no reason to fear his family’s activism.
The government must reconsider its decision to arrest Imran Khan’s sons. Allowing them to return and participate in legal and political processes would demonstrate Pakistan’s commitment to democratic norms. Conversely, arresting them would only widen the country’s political fissures and invite further criticism from the international community.
Pakistan is already facing immense challenges; the last thing it needs is another self-inflicted crisis. The state must rise above petty politics and adhere to the rule of law. The sons of Imran Khan, like any other citizens, deserve the right to defend their father and engage in peaceful protest. Anything less would be an affront to justice and democracy.
