Jemima urges UK govt to intervene over Imran Khan’s rights

Jemima Goldsmith, the former wife of Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan, has urged the British government to intervene over his treatment in prison, calling for his fundamental rights to be protected in line with directives issued by Pakistan’s Supreme Court.

In a post on X, Jemima called on Pakistan to comply with the apex court’s orders concerning Khan’s medical care and access to his family.

She urged authorities to restore his medical access, allow regular family contact, end what she described as prolonged isolation and ensure his basic human rights.

Her comments came after the Supreme Court ordered the government on August 18 to transfer Khan to Shifa International Hospital for examination and treatment by a multidisciplinary medical board.

Instead, authorities sent him to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), a decision that prompted criticism from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and was followed by a contempt petition filed in the Supreme Court.

Jemima also appealed directly to British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and former foreign secretary David Lammy, questioning how long Britain would remain silent over Khan’s situation.

She alleged that Khan had faced prolonged isolation and restrictions on access to family members, books, lawyers and doctors. Citing the UN’s Nelson Mandela Rules, she said prolonged solitary confinement was prohibited and described the situation as a “human-rights emergency.”

Jemima argued that the matter had moved beyond Pakistan’s domestic politics and urged Britain to speak out publicly and unequivocally.

Tweet by Jemima Goldsmith