Incarcerated must be treated with dignity, humanity: Mirwaiz on Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan
Kashmir's chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has called for the humane treatment of incarcerated political figures, specifically referencing the imprisonment of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan. The statement emphasizes that the rights of political prisoners are universal and should transcend political affiliations.
Why it matters
The comments highlight ongoing tensions regarding human rights, judicial independence, and the treatment of political opposition in South Asia.
Kashmir chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday (August 21, 2026) described the reports of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan again being shifted to a jail as “concerning” and said the “rights of political prisoners are universal”.
“The rights of political prisoners are universal, beyond geography, government or political affiliation. Be it in India, Pakistan or anywhere in the world, those incarcerated must be treated with dignity and humanity, with access to proper medical care, family and legal counsel, and due process,” said the Mirwaiz.
The Mirwaiz said the court orders must be respected and the rule of law upheld. “Political differences can never justify denying a prisoner his or her fundamental rights,” said the Mirwaiz, while referring to the treatment meted out to former Pakistan PM Khan.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in