Imran Khan's 'Political Victimisation' By Pakistan Echoes On The Floor Of British Parliament

Last Updated:February 26, 2026, 13:23 IST

Tariq Ahmad emphasised the need for humanitarian access, particularly calling on the British government to facilitate a meeting between Khan and his sons.

Concerns over the imprisonment and health of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan have now reached the floor of the British Parliament, where peers across party lines have called for medical access, family visitation rights and guarantees of free and fair legal proceedings. During a debate in the House of Lords, several parliamentarians described Khan’s treatment as deeply troubling, urging the UK government to raise the matter more forcefully with Islamabad.

Among the most outspoken voices was Zac Goldsmith, who termed Khan’s treatment “an international outrage" and pressed the Foreign Office to intensify diplomatic engagement. Tariq Ahmad emphasised the need for humanitarian access, particularly calling on the British government to facilitate a meeting between Khan and his sons, Qasim Khan and Sulaiman Khan, both British citizens. He argued that family access becomes especially urgent when a detainee’s health is in question. Labour peer Jenny Chapman also demanded Khan’s release and said he should receive the best possible medical care.

Responding on behalf of the government, Baroness Chapman stated that the UK consistently advocates for family access in cases involving prisoners requiring medical treatment. However, she underlined that decisions regarding prison visits and immigration permissions ultimately lie with Pakistani authorities. While maintaining that the UK raises human rights concerns with Pakistan, she stopped short of committing to direct intervention.

The debate reflects mounting alarm over Khan’s health in custody — concerns repeatedly voiced by his family and party colleagues. They have alleged that he has faced restricted access to doctors, inadequate medical supervision and limitations on meeting relatives. His sister has publicly claimed that his condition has deteriorated in jail and warned of potential mistreatment, fuelling fears among supporters that his life could be at risk.

British lawmakers linked these concerns to broader questions of democratic governance in Pakistan. As a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, and home to an estimated 1.5 million people of Pakistani heritage in the UK, Pakistan’s political stability holds direct resonance in Britain. Several peers argued that ensuring transparent elections and safeguarding opposition leaders from political victimisation are not merely domestic matters but issues with international implications. Whether London chooses to escalate diplomatic pressure remains to be seen, but Khan’s detention has clearly become a subject of global scrutiny.

News world Imran Khan's 'Political Victimisation' By Pakistan Echoes On The Floor Of British Parliament

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