Imran Khan Death Rumors Ignite Fury in Pakistan: Jail Officials Deny Claims as Protests Erupt

Unverified reports of the former prime minister’s assassination in Adiala Jail fuel nationwide unrest, but authorities insist he is ‘hale and hearty’ amid family pleas for access.

Rawalpindi, Pakistan – November 28, 2025 Wild speculation over the fate of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has gripped Pakistan, sparking chaotic protests outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail and drawing international scrutiny to the country’s fragile political landscape. Rumors that Khan, a cricket icon turned populist leader, was tortured and killed inside the high-security facility—allegedly at the hands of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Army Chief Asim Munir—began circulating on social media and fringe outlets earlier this week. However, prison officials and government spokespeople have categorically dismissed the claims as “baseless propaganda” designed to incite anarchy.

The firestorm erupted on November 26 when an X (formerly Twitter) account purporting to represent the “Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Baluchistan”—a self-styled separatist entity known for disseminating unverified information—posted that “reports are now surfacing from inside the prisons of Punjab Pakistan that Imran Khan… has been killed by Asim Munir and his ISI administration.” Afghan media outlet Afghanistan Times amplified the narrative, citing “a credible source from Pakistan” who claimed Khan had been “mysteriously killed” and his body removed from the jail 17 days prior. These posts, shared thousands of times, quickly trended under hashtags like #ImranKhan and #FreeImran, with users in Pakistan and the diaspora expressing outrage and fear.

Khan’s family has been at the epicenter of the turmoil. His three sisters—Noreen Niazi, Aleema Khan, and Dr. Uzma Khan—led a sit-in protest outside Adiala Jail on November 25, demanding a meeting with their brother, whom they claim has been held incommunicado for over three weeks despite court orders allowing bi-weekly visits. The demonstration turned violent when Punjab police allegedly assaulted the women, dragging them and using force to disperse the crowd. “This was a brutal and orchestrated assault,” Aleema Khan told reporters, accusing authorities of a “troubling pattern of impunity” against peaceful protesters. PTI supporters, numbering in the thousands, surged toward the jail gates the following day, chanting anti-military slogans and clashing with security forces. Reports from the scene described tear gas deployments and at least six deaths in related skirmishes, prompting “shoot-at-sight” orders in parts of Rawalpindi.

In response, Adiala Jail administrators issued a rare public statement on November 27, affirming that Khan “remains in the facility, is fully healthy, and is receiving complete medical attention.” “There is no truth to reports about his transfer or any harm,” the statement added, emphasizing continuous health monitoring. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif echoed this, describing Khan’s conditions as “five-star” facilities superior to those during prior incarcerations, including full medical care and no plans for relocation. By Thursday evening, the family was granted access, with Aleema Khan confirming post-visit that her brother was “safe but under immense stress,” though she renewed calls for an independent probe into the visitation ban.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which Khan founded in 1996, labeled the rumors a “dangerous conspiracy” aimed at destabilizing the nation. In a statement, PTI demanded a transparent investigation into the “motives behind such sensitive misinformation” and announced weekly protests outside the Islamabad High Court. Security has been ramped up around Adiala Jail, a sprawling complex notorious for housing political detainees and militants, with reports of army deployments to prevent further escalations.

Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023, facing over 200 charges including corruption, sedition, and terrorism—cases his supporters decry as politically motivated retribution for his ouster via a no-confidence vote in 2022. PTI alleges he is held in solitary confinement in a “death cell” typically reserved for high-risk inmates, exacerbating health concerns for the 73-year-old. Earlier unconfirmed reports in November had speculated on poisoning attempts, further stoking fears of foul play.

As the dust settles, the episode underscores Pakistan’s deepening fault lines: a military establishment accused of meddling in civilian affairs, a polarized opposition, and a populace weary of economic woes and political repression. Analysts warn that while the rumors appear fabricated—lacking any corroboration from mainstream sources or Khan’s inner circle—they could erode public trust in institutions, potentially reigniting broader unrest.

PTI vows to press on with its “march on Adiala” campaign, while the government urges calm. For now, Imran Khan lives—not just in body, but as a potent symbol of resistance in a nation on edge.

NewsArc is an independent global news platform committed to uncovering truths in turbulent times. This report draws on verified statements, eyewitness accounts, and public records as of November 28, 2025.