ISLAMABAD / LONDON (Web-Desk); Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sons, Sulaiman and Kasim Khan, said on Friday that they believe former U.S. President Donald Trump could play a role in securing their father’s release from prison.
Imran Khan has been incarcerated at Adiala Jail since August 2023, serving a sentence in a £190 million corruption case. He also faces additional charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act in connection with the May 9, 2023 protests.
In an interview aired on “Piers Morgan Uncensored,” Kasim said, “If anyone can make a difference, he [Trump] can,” when asked if he had a message for the former U.S. president. He added that they had met with Trump’s close aide Richard Grenell, who has publicly called for Imran Khan’s release.
Kasim noted the strong rapport between Trump and Imran Khan during their time in office, expressing hope that Trump might speak out or use his influence to push for his father’s release. “He’s one of the few people who can,” he said.
The brothers, aged 28 and 26, publicly addressed their father’s incarceration for the first time in May this year. In July, their aunt Aleema Khanum said they planned to visit the U.S. before coming to Pakistan as part of efforts to raise international awareness about Imran’s imprisonment. During their U.S. visit, the siblings met with lawmakers to advocate for their father.
In the interview, Sulaiman revealed that he hadn’t seen his father in three years and hadn’t spoken to him in four months. Kasim described the period as “brutal,” highlighting how close they used to be.
Despite family warnings and suggestions from Pakistani authorities that they might face arrest upon arrival, the two have applied for Pakistani visas through the country’s High Commission in London. Aleema Khanum recently confirmed their visa applications were still awaiting clearance from the Interior Ministry in Islamabad.
“We’re doing everything we can from abroad,” Sulaiman said, noting that they had not yet approached the UK government for assistance. Kasim added that they were ready to face arrest if necessary: “We 100 percent will be going [to Pakistan] at some point, whether he likes it or not.”
In a message to Pakistani authorities, Sulaiman urged respect for democracy, the will of the people, and the rule of law, calling for a fair trial for his father.
Earlier, Aleema had said the brothers hold National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) and are therefore Pakistani citizens, adding that if anything were to happen to them, it would become an “international matter.”
However, their citizenship status has drawn questions from the government. Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry pointed out that if they held NICOP cards, they shouldn’t require visas.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Barrister Aqeel Malik reiterated that under Pakistan’s Constitution, only citizens—not foreigners—have the right to assemble or participate in political activities. He warned that visa violations could lead to cancellations.
Within the ruling PML-N party, opinions on whether the brothers should be allowed into Pakistan have varied. Senator Irfan Siddiqui said they should be allowed to visit and express themselves, but only within legal bounds.
Separately, PTI dismissed media reports claiming Imran Khan had said his sons would not come to Pakistan or take part in political activity. The party maintained that the brothers intended to be involved in the campaign for their father’s release.
