Islamabad: Aleema Khanum, sister of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, confirmed on Friday that his sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, have applied for Pakistani visas and are currently awaiting clearance from the interior ministry in Islamabad.
In a post shared on X, Aleema stated, “A few days ago, Suleiman and Kasim submitted their visa applications at the Pakistan High Commission in London. The ambassador has conveyed that approval is pending from the Ministry of Interior.”
Sulaiman, 28, and Kasim, 26, had remained largely out of the spotlight during their father’s legal and political challenges but broke their silence in May this year. More recently, they visited the United States, where they engaged with American lawmakers as part of efforts to advocate for Imran Khan’s release from prison.
The former premier has been incarcerated at Adiala Jail since August 2023 following his conviction in a £190 million corruption case. He also faces multiple charges under anti-terror laws, particularly in connection with the May 9, 2023, protests.
Aleema Khanum previously clarified that the brothers are eligible to visit Pakistan, noting that both possess National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP), making them legal citizens. “They will definitely come to Pakistan,” she told reporters, while cautioning that any harm to them would carry “international consequences.”
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Reacting to the development, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif downplayed any concerns, stating, “Why would the government stop Imran’s sons from entering Pakistan?”
Meanwhile, speculation about their plans escalated earlier this week after reports suggested that Imran had discouraged their involvement in political activity. The PTI, however, swiftly denied those claims, asserting that no such statement had been made by the former prime minister.
Though the government has yet to release an official statement on the matter, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry has said that the brothers are welcome in Pakistan, provided they follow the law. He remarked that their visas could be issued “within 24 hours” if there are no legal issues.
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However, State Minister for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik drew attention to constitutional limitations, stating that Article 16, which allows for public assembly, applies only to Pakistani citizens. He emphasized that, as British nationals, Sulaiman and Kasim would not be permitted to participate in political activities or protests during their stay, warning that any violation of visa conditions could result in cancellation.
