ISLAMABAD: In a significant development regarding the ongoing visa controversy surrounding former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s family, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has publicly stated that Khan’s sons are welcome to visit Pakistan using their National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (Nicop). The announcement came on Wednesday via social media platform X, directly responding to an appeal made by Khan’s former spouse, Jemima Goldsmith, to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“His children are welcome to visit Pakistan on their Nicop cards as Pakistani citizens for which no visa is required,” Minister Tarar declared. He emphasized, however, that they “will fully comply with the laws of Pakistan during their stay.” The minister also confirmed that a phone call between Imran Khan and his children would be arranged on Eid day, as has been done in previous years. This statement attempts to address a growing diplomatic and humanitarian issue that has drawn international attention.
The controversy stems from Jemima Goldsmith’s public appeal on Monday, where she detailed that her sons, Kasim and Sulaiman Khan, had applied for visas in January to visit their imprisoned father but faced a 60-day delay despite standard processing times of 7-10 working days. The brothers, who reside in London with their mother, have not seen their father since 2022 following an assassination attempt on him. Goldsmith’s appeal highlighted concerns over Khan’s reported declining health and the emotional toll on his family, stating the brothers were also prevented from phone or written communication.
This situation follows previous assurances from government officials. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had publicly promised the brothers could safely travel to Pakistan after four years, and PM’s spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi made similar commitments. The current impasse has raised questions about the consistency of government policy and its handling of the family of a major political figure. For context, Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), remains incarcerated at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail on various charges, a situation that has been a focal point of political tension.
The opposition PTI has strongly condemned the government’s handling of the matter. In a statement, the party described the visa delays as “deeply concerning” and evidence of a failure “to uphold basic human values and family rights.” They accused the government of employing “deliberate delaying tactics” aimed at “political victimization,” arguing that such treatment of a former prime minister’s family is against the principles of a civilized society. The party’s reaction underscores the political dimensions of what is also a personal family matter.
Minister Tarar’s clarification regarding the Nicop option seeks to resolve the logistical hurdle. The Nicop card serves as both an identity document and a travel permit for overseas Pakistanis, eliminating the need for a visa to enter Pakistan. This point had been previously raised in August 2025 by Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry, who questioned why visas were needed if the brothers possessed Nicops. Aleema Khan, Imran Khan’s sister, had clarified at the time that applications for both documents had been submitted.
The unfolding scenario reflects broader tensions within Pakistan’s political landscape, where legal proceedings against opposition leaders often intersect with personal and family rights. As reported by international outlets like BBC News, the case has become emblematic of the challenges facing political families amid ongoing instability. The government’s latest statement offers a potential path forward, but its implementation and the sons’ ability to travel without further obstruction remain to be seen, leaving a resolution pending between official protocol and humanitarian consideration.
Source: Dawn News