Reports state that Aleem Dar resigned as a selector due to the inclusion of Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, and Usman Khan in the World Cup squad. Dar felt that Shadab and Babar's form did not merit selection and he preferred Mohammad Rizwan over Usman Khan #T20WorldCup#Cricket
Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga "Imran Khan was not only an inspiration for millions of Pakistanis, but was also someone whom I, and many other young cricketers, admired and aspired to be.
He transcended cricket and politics. He was a symbol of hope, a patriot who carried his nation's dreams on his shoulders, and an icon respected beyond Pakistan's borders.
At this difficult time, I urge the authorities in Pakistan to treat him with humanity and dignity. Whatever the circumstances may be, it is important that compassion prevails. I implore that proper care and fairness be given to a man who has dedicated his life to his country.
Before the politician and before the cricketer, there was Imran Khan-a human being deserving empathy, compassion and humanity" #ImranKhan
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar "It's terrible what they are doing to Imran Khan. We have been friends since he was trying to qualify as an overseas player for Worcestershire and not just rivals on the field" #ImranKhan
A joint statement by former international captains Michael Atherton, Allan Border, Michael Brearley, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Sunil Gavaskar, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Nasser Hussain, Clive Lloyd, Kapil Dev, Steve Waugh, John Wright on behalf of Imran Khan:
"We, the undersigned former captains of our national cricket teams, write with deep concern regarding the reported treatment and incarceration conditions of Imran Khan, the distinguished former Captain of Pakistan and a legendary figure in world cricket.
Imran Khan's contributions to the game are universally admired. As captain, he led Pakistan to their historic 1992 Cricket World Cup victory - a triumph built on skill, resilience, leadership, and sportsmanship that inspired generations across borders.
Many of us competed against him, shared the field with him, or grew up idolizing his all-round brilliance, charisma, and competitive spirit. He remains one of the finest all-rounders and captains the sport has ever seen, earning respect from players, fans, and administrators alike.
Beyond cricket, Imran Khan served as Prime Minister of Pakistan, leading his nation during a challenging period. Regardless of political perspectives, he holds the honour of having been democratically elected to the highest office in his country.
Recent reports concerning his health - particularly the alarming deterioration of his vision while in custody - and the conditions of his imprisonment over the past two and a half years have caused us profound concern.
As fellow cricketers who understand the values of fair play, honour, and respect that transcend the boundary rope, we believe that a person of Imran Khan's stature deserves to be treated with the dignity and basic human consideration befitting a former national leader and a global sporting icon.
We respectfully urge the Government of Pakistan to ensure that Imran Khan receives:
Immediate, adequate and ongoing medical attention from qualified specialists of his choosing to address his reported health issues.
Humane and dignified conditions of detention in line with international standards, including regular visits by close family members.
Fair and transparent access to legal processes without undue delay or hindrance.
Cricket has long been a bridge between nations. Our shared history on the field reminds us that rivalry ends when the stumps are drawn - and respect endures. Imran Khan embodied that spirit throughout his career.
We call on authorities to honour it now by upholding the principles of decency and justice.
This appeal is made in the spirit of sportsmanship and common humanity, without prejudice to any legal proceedings"
#Pakistan: Imran Khans solitary confinement and inhumane detention conditions must end - UN expert. Prolonged or indefinite solitary confinement is prohibited under int'l human rights law – and when it extends longer than 15 days, it's a form of #torture.
https://t.co/m2Re8Yhyc0
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Conversation with his Family and Lawyers at Adiala Jail - 15 July 2025:
"There is absolutely no question of bowing down, even if I have to spend my entire life in prison. I convey this same message to the people of Pakistan: under no circumstances should you submit to this tyrannical system.
The time for negotiations has passed. What remains now is the time for the nation to rise in protest.
Hardships inflicted upon me in jail have intensified in recent days. The same is true for my wife, Bushra Bibi, who is also facing increasing restrictions. The television in her cell has been shut down. All fundamental human rights and basic prisoner entitlements, both mine and hers, have been suspended. This must be accounted for.
I am fully aware that a certain Colonel and Jail Superintendent Anjum are carrying out these actions at the behest of Asim Munir.
I issue a clear directive to my party: if any harm comes to me while I remain imprisoned, Asim Munir must be held accountable.
Bushra Bibi is being subjected to this cruelty because, during my tenure, after Asim Munir was removed from his position, he sent her a message through Zulfi Bukhari requesting a meeting, which she categorically declined. Since then, he has targeted her with continuous retribution. From day one, it has been his deliberate strategy to break my will by tormenting her.
In the very jail where I am being held under inhumane conditions, terrorists and known murderers of hundreds of Pakistanis enjoy better treatment. A military officer named Rizwan is being held in the lap of luxury, while every form of cruelty is inflicted upon me. No matter what they do, I did not bow before this oppression before, nor will I do so now.
Under the oppressive watch of Maryam Nawaz and Mohsin Naqvi in Punjab, fascism has taken root for the past two years, extinguishing democracy and crushing all political activity.The arrival of elected representatives in Punjab in the form of a political caravan, in such an environment is a welcome development.
At this time, many, including myself, are enduring some of the harshest imprisonments. Therefore, I direct every member of the party to put aside all personal grievances. Publicly airing internal matters or individual concerns before the media is entirely unacceptable. My instruction is firm: whether a senior officeholder or a junior member, no one is to express internal differences on social media, electronic media, print media, or any other platform. Focus exclusively on the protest movement so that fundamental human rights are restored in Pakistan. If any party official fails to participate in this movement, I will make the final decision about them myself, even from within jail.
I instruct all party members and office-bearers to personally retweet my messages on Twitter (now X), and ensure they are shared as extensively as possible.
The party should decide on nominations for the Senate tickets through mutual consultation."
“جب ایک قوم اپنے حق کے لیے خود کھڑی ہو جاتی ہے پھر اس کو کوئی طاقت جھکا نہیں سکتی۔ میں جیل میں بھی آزاد ہوں مگر میری قوم باہر ایک ایسی قید میں ہے جہاں نہ آزاد عدلیہ ہے نہ آزاد جمہوریت نہ ہی آزاد میڈیا۔ تمام پاکستانیوں کو اب اپنی حقیقی آزادی کے لیے باہر نکلنا ہو گا!!
دو سال سے میں صرف پاکستانی قوم کی خاطر جیل میں قید ہوں تا کہ آپ کو کوئی غلام نہ بنا سکے۔ اب وقت آ چکا ہے کہ آپ خود اپنی آزادی کے لیے کھڑے ہوں اور اس جابر نظام کو شکست دیں۔
ملک کی خاطر میں نے بارہا مذاکرات کی بات کی مگر اب مذاکرات کا وقت گزر چکا ہے ۔ چھبیسویں آئینی ترمیم کے بعد اس ملک میں آئین و قانون اور انصاف کو دفن کر دیا گیا ہے۔ ہمیں عدالتوں سے انصاف کی جو امید تھی وہ مکمل طور پر ختم ہو چکی ہے، اس لیے اب پاکستانی قوم کو ملک گیر احتجاجی تحریک کے علاوہ کوئی اور طریقہ لا قانونیت کی اس دلدل سے باہر نہیں نکال سکتا۔
ملک گیر تحریک کا مکمل لائحہ عمل اسی ہفتے پیش کیا جائے گا- پانچ اگست کو میری نا حق قید کو پورے 2 برس مکمل ہو جائیں گے۔ اسی روز ہماری ملک گیر احتجاجی تحریک کا نقطہ عروج ہوگا۔
اب کسی سے کسی بھی قسم کے مذاکرات نہیں ہوں گے! صرف اور صرف سڑکوں پر احتجاج ہو گا تاکہ قوم زبردستی کے مسلط کردہ کٹھ پتلی حکمرانوں سے نجات حاصل کرے۔
دوٹوک پیغام دے رہا ہوں کہ تحریک انصاف کا جو عہدہ دار اس تحریک کا وزن نہیں اٹھا سکتا وہ ابھی سے الگ ہو جائے۔ جن لوگوں نے اُن کے آگے گھٹنے ٹیکے ہوئے ہیں وہ یاد رکھیں! کچھ عرصے بعد یہی لوگ انہیں کرش کر دیں گے اور عوام بھی انہیں کبھی معاف نہیں کرے گی-
نیلسن منڈیلا اور گاندھی تک کو دیگر قیدیوں سے ملنے، کتابیں پڑھنے اور کتابیں لکھنے کی اجازت تھی- میں ایک ایسی قید کاٹ رہا ہوں جہاں روزانہ 22 گھنٹے مجھے 6x8 کے سیل میں بند رکھا جاتا ہے، پولیس اہلکار تک مجھ سے بات نہیں کر سکتے، 6 ماہ سے کتابیں بند ہیں، میرے بچوں سے ��یری بات نہیں کروائی جاتی، میرے وکلأ اور ساتھی مجھ سے نہیں مل سکتے، میرے اہل خانہ کو ایک ہفتے بعد چند منٹ کے لیے ملنے دیا جاتا ہے اور اکثر انہیں بھی روک لیا جاتا ہے، دس ماہ سے میرے ذاتی ڈاکٹر سے میرا معائنہ نہیں کروایا گیا، پچھلے ایک ہفتے سے تو میرا اخبار اور ٹی وی بھی بند ہے۔ جو کتابیں مجھے خاندان کی طرف سے بھجوائی جاتی ہیں وہ تک مجھے مہیا نہیں کی جاتیں اور سپرنٹنڈنٹ کے کمرے میں پڑی رہتی ہیں۔ میری اہلیہ کو بھی بدترین حالات میں قید تنہائی میں رکھا ہوا ہے-
اس سب کے پیچھے اسٹیبلشمنٹ اور اس کے بغل بچوں کا ہاتھ ہے۔ یہ سب کچھ مجھے توڑنے کے لیے کیا جاتا ہے۔ لیکن میں آخری سا��س تک ظلم کے خلاف کھڑا رہوں گا-
ہم نے قبائلی علاقوں کو کئی دہائیوں بعد ان کے آئینی و قانونی حقوق دلوائے اور علاقے کی تعمیر نو اور ترقی کے لیے بھرپور وسائل مہیا کیے- موجودہ رجیم نے پہلے تو تین سال تک ان علاقوں کے جائز فنڈز روکے رکھے اور اب ا�� کے آئینی حقوق واپس لینے کی کوششیں کی جا رہی ہیں جو کہ انتہائی قابل مذمت ہے- ہمارے پارلیمینٹیرینز اور نمائندوں نے ان اقدامات کا بائیکاٹ کر کے اچھا فیصلہ کیا-
ہمارے پنجاب کے ایم پی ایز کو جعلی حکومت کے بجٹ کے دوران احتجاج کرنے پر معطل کرنے کے پیچھے یہی وجہ ہے کہ مریم نواز کے خلاف احتجاج ان کو بہت ناگوار گزرا ہے- حالانکہ ہمیشہ بجٹ کے دوران احتجاج ہوتا آیا ہے-“
سابق وزیراعظم عمران خان کا اڈیالہ جیل سے پیغام (۸ جولائی، ۲۰۲۵)
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Message – July 8, 2025
“When a nation rises for its rights, no force on earth can suppress it. I remain a free man, even in jail, but my nation is trapped in a prison where there is no independent judiciary, no genuine democracy, and no free media. Every Pakistani must rise up for their true freedom!
For two years, I have remained imprisoned solely for the sake of the Pakistani nation, so that no one can enslave you. Now, the time has come for you to stand up for your own freedom and defeat this oppressive system.
I repeatedly called for dialogue in the best interest of the country. But the time for negotiations has now passed. After the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the rule of law, the Constitution, and the very concept of justice have been buried. Any hope of receiving justice from the courts has been completely extinguished. The Pakistani nation now has only one path forward: a nationwide protest movement. Nothing short of this can pull us out of this quagmire of lawlessness.
A complete roadmap for the nationwide movement will be announced this week. I will have completed two full years of unjust imprisonment on August 5th. One that very day our nationwide protest campaign will be at its peak.
There will be no further negotiations of any kind with anyone anymore! The only path forward is mass protest in the streets, so the nation can rid itself of the puppets forcibly imposed upon it as its rulers.
Let me be clear: any officeholder in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf who cannot shoulder the weight of this movement should step aside immediately. Those who have submitted to these oppressors must remember: these very people will eventually crush you, and the people will never forgive you either.
Even leaders like Nelson Mandela and Gandhi were allowed to meet other prisoners, read books, and write. I am enduring a form of solitary confinement where I am locked for 22 hours a day in a 6x8 foot cell. Police officers are forbidden from speaking to me. I have been denied books for the past six months. I am not allowed to speak to my children. My lawyers and colleagues cannot visit me. My family is allowed only a few minutes of visitation each week, and many of them are often denied even that. My personal physician has not been allowed to examine me for the past ten months. Even my access to newspapers and television has been cut off for the last week. Books sent by my family are withheld and kept in the superintendent’s office. My wife is also being held in inhumane conditions in solitary confinement.
Behind all of this is the establishment and its pawns. All of this is being done to break me. But I will continue to stand against tyranny until my very last breath.
We restored the constitutional and legal rights of the tribal areas after decades and provided full resources for reconstruction and development. The current regime not only withheld their rightful funds for three years but is now actively working to roll back their constitutional rights, an action that is utterly condemnable. I commend our parliamentarians and representatives for boycotting these unlawful measures.
As for our Punjab MPAs who were suspended for protesting during the fraudulent government’s budget session, the real reason behind it was that their protest against Maryam Nawaz was intolerable for the regime, although it is a long-standing tradition to protest during budget sessions.”
“میں تمام عمر بھی جیل میں رہنے کو تیار ہوں لیکن ظلم و جبر کے آگے جھکنے کا سوال پیدا نہیں ہوتا۔ پاکستانی قوم کو بھی یہی پیغام دیتا ہوں کہ کسی صورت جبر کے اس نظام کے سامنے نہ جھکیں۔
مذاکرات کا وقت اب گزر چکا ہے، اب صرف قوم کے احتجاج کا وقت ہے۔
پچھلے کچھ روز سے جیل میں مجھ پر سختیاں مزید بڑھا دی گئی ہیں۔ میری اہلیہ بشرٰی بیگم پر بھی سختی کا دائرہ کار بڑھا دیا گیا ہے۔ ان کے سیل میں جو ٹی وی موجود تھا وہ بھی بند کروا دیا گیا ہے۔ میرے اور میری اہلیہ کے تمام انسانی اور قیدیوں کو دئیے جانے والے حقوق معطل ہیں- جس کا حساب ہونا چاہیئے۔
مجھے معل��م ہے کہ ایک کرنل اور جیل سپرنٹنڈنٹ انجم، یہ سب کچھ عاصم منیر کے کہنے پر کروا رہے ہیں۔
اپنی پارٹی کو واضح ہدایت کرتا ہوں کہ اگر مجھے جیل میں کچھ ہوا تو اس کا حساب عاصم منیر سے لیا جائے۔
بشری بیگم پر ظلم اس لیے کیا جا رہا ہے کیونکہ میرے دور میں جب عاصم منیر کو عہدے سے ہٹایا گیا تو انہوں نے زلفی بخاری کے ذریعے بشرٰی بیگم کو ملاقات کا پیغام بھیجا تھا، جسے بشریٰ بیگم نے ٹھکرا دیا تھا۔ اسی لیے ��اصم منیر نے ان پر سختیاں رکھی ہوئی ہیں۔ شروع دن سے ہی ان کی کوشش ہے کہ بشری بیگم پر سختی کر کے مجھے توڑا جا سکے۔
جس جیل میں مجھے رکھا ہوا ہے وہاں سینکڑوں پاکستانیوں کے قاتل اور دہشتگرد بھی مجھ سے بہتر حالت میں رہ رہے ہیں- ایک فوجی رضوان کو شان و شوکت سے رکھا ہوا ہے لیکن مجھ پر ہر طرح کا ظلم جاری ہے۔ یہ جو بھی کر لیں اس ظلم کے آگے نہ میں پہلے جھکا تھا نہ ہی اب جھکوں گا۔
پنجاب میں پچھلے دو سال سے مریم نواز اور محسن نقوی کے زیر سایہ جبر و فسطائیت کا جو ماحول ہے اس نے جمہوریت اور سیاسی سرگرمیوں کا خاتمہ کر رکھا ہے۔ تمام ممبران اسمبلی کا قافلے کی صورت میں پنجاب آ کر سیاسی اجتماع کرنا خوش آئیند ہے-
اس وقت مجھ سمیت کئی افراد سخت ترین جیلیں کاٹ رہے ہیں اس لیے پارٹی کا ہر شخص اپنے ذاتی اختلافات کو مکمل طور پر نظر انداز کرے، میڈیا کے سامنے اپنے ذاتی اور اندرونی معاملات کو زیر گفتگو لانا کسی طور قابل قبول نہیں ہے۔ میری سختی سے ہدایات ہیں کہ پارٹی میں بڑے سے بڑا عہدیدار یا چھوٹے سے چھوٹا رکن یا ذمہ دار سوشل میڈیا، الیکٹرانک میڈیا، پرنٹ میڈیا یا کسی بھی اور فورم پر پارٹی کے اندرونی معاملات یا اختلافات کا اظہار مت کرے۔ اپنی ساری توجہ صرف اور صرف احتجاجی تحریک پر رکھیں تاکہ ملک میں انسانی حقوق کی بحالی ممکن ہو سکے۔ اگر کسی ذمہ دار نے اس احتجاجی تحریک میں حصہ نہ لیا پھر اس کا فیصلہ میں جیل سے خود کروں گا۔
تمام پارٹی ممبران اور عہدیداران کو ہدایت کرتا ہوں میرے ٹوئیٹر پیغامات کو خود ریٹویٹ بھی کریں اور زیادہ سے زیادہ افراد تک میرے یہ پیغامات پہنچائیں-
سینیٹ کی ٹکٹوں کے حوالے سے پارٹی باہمی مشاورت سے فیصلہ کرے۔”
��ابق وزیراعظم عمران خان کی اڈیالہ جیل میں وکلاء اور اہل خانہ سے گفتگو (15 جولائی 2025)
🚨🇵🇰 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: IMRAN KHAN’S SONS BREAK THEIR SILENCE
Every once in a while, I conduct an interview that could shape the politics of a country.
This may be one of them.
Imran Khan, who I spoke with just weeks before his arrest, was one of the most popular leaders of our time.
Often called the “Trump of Pakistan,” he had an approval rating above 60%.
But when he turned against the country’s powerful military establishment, the cost was immediate.
He was shot.
Then jailed.
Then banned — not just from office, but from television, radio, and social media.
And yet, even from behind bars, even with his name erased, his party still won a majority in Pakistan’s latest elections.
It didn’t matter.
Today, he sits in a 7x8 cell designed for death row inmates.
No light. No lawyer. No access to doctors. No due process.
His sons, Sulaiman and Kasim Khan, have spent their lives out of the spotlight, far from the chaos of Pakistani politics.
But for nearly 2 years, they’ve watched their father — wounded, silenced, and locked in solitary confinement — be forgotten by the world.
They haven’t seen him since he was shot.
Phone calls, when they come, arrive at random — sometimes at 4 a.m. — and last only 20 minutes before the line goes dead.
They stayed completely silent through all of it.
Not because they didn’t care — but because they were afraid speaking out would make things worse.
But now?
Now it’s been too long.
Now the silence feels like betrayal.
Now, they’re speaking — because this might be the only thing left they can do.
And they did not hold back.
To Pakistanis: do not lose hope.
To the international community: do not turn a blind eye.
Thank you @elonmusk and @lindayaX for X and your fight for free speech.
Disclaimers: This interview was conducted prior to the recent clashes between India and Pakistan.
I am not alleging the Pakistani military or Government was behind Imran’s assassination attempt.
Also note: Urdu voice over of the interview posted below as a comment.
01:26 — “He’s literally in the dark.”
No visits. No lawyers. No calls. No light.
02:16 — “He’s completely alone.”
No contact. No doctor. No way to know if he’s okay.
03:19 — “A death cell… for terrorists.”
7x8 feet. Blacked out. Designed to erase the human spirit.
04:09 — “First two days were hell.”
He survived 10 days in pitch darkness by forcing himself into a Zen-like state.
05:55 — “The line cuts at 20 minutes.”
Half the time: lessons. The rest: he asks about our lives.
06:50 — “We get a 4 a.m. message.”
If we miss it, it’s months before we hear from him again.
08:04 — “They’re trying to break him.”
No light. No doctors. No calls. But he refuses to fold.
09:16 — “He won’t take the deal.”
Not without his people. Not if it means betraying them.
13:22 — “We’ve run out of options.”
Legal routes are gone. Silence no longer helps. This is our last card.
15:19 — “They banned his name.”
On TV, radio, and online — we became the code for our own father.
17:01 — “We never spoke to Grenell.”
But we’re grateful. And we’ll speak to anyone who’ll listen.
18:27 — “It’s 100% political.”
False charges. Fake trials. A democracy on mute.
20:51 — “Yes, people have been taken.”
Supporters, journalists — vanished. Tortured. Broken.
22:06 — “He told us to stay private.”
But now? We have no choice.
24:03 — “We thought it’d be a few weeks.”
It’s been nearly two years.
26:26 — “He reads. He teaches. Then he listens.”
Each call is a lifeline.
28:05 — “They blurred him out.”
Even the 1992 World Cup photos — he was erased.
31:00 — “I’ve grown more in 2 years than 20.”
That’s what he tells us.
32:20 — “It’s getting desperate.”
New threats. Talk of a death sentence. No end in sight.
32:57 — “We asked him for permission.”
He said: Do it.
35:00 — “The last time we saw him, he’d been shot.”
Three bullets. Still standing. Still smiling.
36:45 — “We’re told not to come back.”
We might be used to break him further.
38:16 — “Respect the vote.”
PTI won — even without its symbol, even in silence.
39:38 — “Selling exotic fruit?”
That’s what they jailed him for.
40:53 — “Some family members were scared.”
But we have to try something.
42:07 — “He’s not done.”
Still learning. Still fighting. Still planning.
43:12 — “He’s 70. He was shot. And they deny him a doctor.”
This is not justice. This is torture.