Islamabad: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is alive but is being "mentally tortured," his sister, Dr Uzma Khanum, said on Tuesday evening after a 20-minute meeting with her brother.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Dr Khanum said, "Alhamdulillah (praise be to God), he is all right… but he was angry about being mentally tortured. He is locked in his cell all day… can only step out for short periods and is not allowed to communicate with anyone."

She added that her brother had accused Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir, now the most powerful figure in Pakistan after taking full control of the military, of being responsible for his imprisonment.

The meeting came amid widespread rumours about Khan's wellbeing, particularly after his family had been prevented from seeing him for several weeks. These concerns followed protests by Khan's supporters in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, which led officials to ban large gatherings.

Despite the restrictions, demonstrations continued outside the Islamabad High Court.

What did the family say about treatment in jail?

Concerns over Khan's condition grew last month when his three sisters, Noreen Niazi, Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, claimed they were assaulted when seeking to meet him. His sons also alleged that prison authorities were hiding "something irreversible" about their father’s health.

One of his sons, Kasim Khan, told Reuters that there had been no direct or verifiable contact, despite a court order allowing weekly visits. The family also reported that prison authorities refused to allow visits from Imran Khan's personal doctor.

Before Tuesday’s meeting, neither family members nor Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) officials had seen Khan for over 25 days. This gap fuelled rumours that he may have died, with suspicions that authorities were trying to conceal the truth to avoid mass protests from millions who view him as a national hero.

How is the government responding?

Pressure on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his government, who have not released proof of life, increased on Sunday when PTI Senator Khurram Zeeshan spoke out.

Zeeshan told that Khan was being kept in isolation to force him to leave the country. He claimed, "The Shehbaz Sharif government felt threatened by Imran Khan's popularity, and that is why they do not show photos or videos."

What is Khan’s current situation?

The 72-year-old World Cup-winning cricketer has been in jail since August 2023. Rumours of his death first circulated on social media accounts from Afghanistan, a country currently experiencing military clashes with Pakistan over a border dispute.

(With agency inputs)