Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is alive, Pakistan’s military has said, rejecting speculation that the jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder had died in custody. The clarification came after claims by Pakistani journalist Wajahat Saeed Khan triggered widespread uncertainty over the former premier’s condition.

The controversy erupted after the journalist initially suggested that Khan may have died while imprisoned. He later clarified that his sources had not confirmed Khan’s death, but had expressed serious concern about his fate and fears that something could have happened to him while he remained isolated from the outside world.

The Pakistan Army’s public-relations wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR), subsequently rejected the death report as false. The response effectively pushed back against growing rumours circulating around Khan’s health and prolonged detention.

Journalist Walks Back Death Claim

Wajahat Saeed Khan had initially reported that sources within Pakistan’s military establishment believed Imran Khan was no longer alive. The report was based on conversations he said he had with senior military officials and other personnel familiar with developments surrounding Khan’s detention.

However, in a subsequent clarification, the journalist acknowledged that his sources had never actually provided authenticated confirmation that Khan had died.

According to his revised account, three senior officers associated with different sections of Pakistan’s military establishment had expressed what he described as an intense fear that the worst might have happened to Khan. But those concerns were assessments and speculation rather than documented proof.

The journalist stressed that there was a distinction between military personnel fearing that Khan could have died and actually confirming his death.

He later argued that his reporting had, in part, been intended to pressure authorities into providing evidence that the former prime minister was still alive.

Senior Pakistani journalist Wajahat S. Khan claims three senior army officers fear former PM Imran Khan may be dead in prison.#ImranKhan #WajahatSKhan #Pakistan #PakistanPolitics #AdialaJail #PTI #BreakingNews #ImranKhanNews #PakistanArmy #GHQ #PoliticalCrisis #DevelopingStory pic.twitter.com/C8eFaJHBPw

— VIRAL VOLT (@ViralVolT1) August 12, 2026

Pakistan Army Rejects Reports

The military’s public denial became a significant development because the rumours had gained momentum amid continuing uncertainty over Khan’s access to his family, lawyers and medical treatment.

The ISPR rejected the claims surrounding Khan’s alleged death. The journalist subsequently acknowledged the importance of the military response, saying that the denial itself indicated that authorities were affirming Khan was alive.

The episode nevertheless highlighted the unusual level of secrecy surrounding the former prime minister’s imprisonment and the lack of regular public information about his condition.

Khan has been held in prison for several years and remains one of Pakistan’s most politically influential and controversial figures despite being behind bars.

Questions Over Khan’s Prison Conditions

The death rumours emerged against the backdrop of continuing concerns over Khan’s health and isolation.

Khan has reportedly experienced significant health problems during his imprisonment, including serious issues affecting his vision and blood pressure. His supporters and family members have repeatedly raised concerns about his access to appropriate medical care and contact with relatives.

According to the journalist’s account, members of Bushra Bibi’s family said they had seen footage of Khan inside the prison and observed him walking. Such claims, however, remain part of the broader dispute surrounding the former premier’s condition and access to independent verification.

The uncertainty has been amplified by restrictions surrounding visits and communication with Khan. His supporters have argued that greater transparency is necessary to dispel speculation and establish his current physical condition.

Who Is Imran Khan?

Imran Khan, a former international cricket star who entered politics and founded the PTI, became Pakistan’s prime minister in 2018. His government was removed from power in April 2022 following a parliamentary vote of no confidence.

His political career since then has been marked by an increasingly bitter confrontation with Pakistan’s political establishment and military leadership.

Khan was arrested in May 2023, an event that triggered widespread protests and clashes across the country. He was arrested again in August 2023 and has remained incarcerated since then, facing multiple legal cases.

His supporters maintain that the legal proceedings against him are politically motivated, while authorities have defended the cases as part of the judicial process.

Political Impact of the Rumours

The latest controversy carries significance beyond the question of Khan’s health.

Imran Khan continues to command a large and highly mobilised support base in Pakistan. Any credible report about his death, serious illness or sudden deterioration in prison conditions has the potential to generate major political consequences.

The PTI has repeatedly accused authorities of restricting Khan’s political activities and limiting his communication with supporters. Meanwhile, the government and security establishment have rejected allegations that Khan is being treated outside the law.

The circulation of unverified information therefore comes at a particularly sensitive time for Pakistan, where political tensions remain high and Khan’s imprisonment continues to be a central issue for his supporters.

Death Claim Remains Unsubstantiated

The latest developments underline the importance of distinguishing between allegations, intelligence assessments and verified information.

While the journalist cited conversations with military personnel who allegedly feared that Khan might have died, he subsequently made clear that those sources had not personally confirmed his death. The information was described as based on concern, internal discussions and speculation rather than authenticated evidence.

The Pakistan Army’s rejection of the claim provides the clearest official response to the rumours so far.

For now, the available information does not support claims that Imran Khan has died in custody. The episode, however, has renewed questions about the transparency surrounding his detention, his access to family and medical care, and the flow of reliable information about his condition.

As speculation continues to circulate, any further confirmation from Pakistani authorities, Khan’s family or his legal representatives will remain closely watched both inside Pakistan and internationally.