GENEVA - Bushra Bibi Khan, the wife of former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan is being detained in circumstances that could pose a serious risk to her physical and mental integrity, a UN expert warned today, urging authorities to take immediate steps to address the situation.
"The State has an obligation to protect Mrs. Khan's health and ensure conditions of detention compatible with human dignity," said Alice Jill Edwards, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture.
Currently held in Adiala Jail, Bushra Bibi Khan is reportedly confined to a small, airless cell that is described as filthy, overheated and infested with insects and rodents. Power cuts allegedly plunge the cell into darkness. She is reportedly given unclean drinking water and food rendered inedible by excessive chili powder.
These conditions have contributed to significant weight loss of approximately 15 kilograms, recurrent infections, fainting episodes, and untreated medical complications, including a tooth abscess and a stomach ulcer from allegations of contaminated food during an earlier period of detention.
"Such conditions fall far below minimum international standards," Edwards said. "No detainee should be exposed to extreme heat, contaminated food or water, or conditions that aggravate existing medical conditions."
The expert reminded Pakistan that the conditions and locations of detention must take into account the age, sex and health circumstances of detainees.
Reports also indicate that Bushra Bibi Khan is frequently placed in near-total isolation for more than 22 hours a day, sometimes for periods exceeding ten days, without access to exercise, reading material, legal counsel, family visits, or her personal physicians.
"The authorities must ensure Mrs. Khan has the possibility to communicate with her lawyers and receive visits from family members, and have meaningful human contact throughout her detention," Edwards said.
"Prolonged isolation of this kind heightens psychological distress and impedes access to essential safeguards," the Special Rapporteur said. "Coupled with untreated medical needs, it poses an acute risk."
Bushra Bibi Khan is the wife of Imran Khan, 73, who served as Pakistan's prime minister from 2018-2022. He has also been in jail since his August 2023 arrest.
The Special Rapporteur has formally raised Bushra Bibi Khan's situation with the Government of Pakistan and will continue to monitor developments closely.
