Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Imran Khan Marks Three Years in Prison Amid Nationwide Protests
Imran Khan used to be the leader of a country called Pakistan, and before that he was a famous cricket player.
In August 2023, a court sent him to prison after a ruling in a corruption case.
On August 5, 2026, he had been in jail for three years.
Many of his supporters want him to be free.
They held big meetings in many cities in Pakistan on that day.
Police stopped some of the meetings and arrested more than 100 people.
One big meeting was allowed in a city called Peshawar.
Some people say Mr. Khan has not been treated well in prison, and that he was not allowed to see his family for a very long time.
His supporters hope that he will be released one day.
Imran Khan, Pakistan's jailed former prime minister, completed three years in prison on August 5, 2026, having been jailed since August 5, 2023 after a corruption conviction.
More than 100 supporters were arrested as police cracked down on protests in Punjab and Sindh, baton-charging crowds in Lahore and using tear gas in Karachi.
Authorities denied rally permission in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan, making Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the main protest venue.
Khan remains held at Adiala Jail; some of his convictions were suspended or overturned, but he still faces trial in other cases.
PTI leaders and Amnesty International allege Khan was denied a fair trial, kept in solitary confinement, and barred from family visits for more than eight months.
- Who
- Imran Khan, former prime minister of Pakistan and leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI); his supporters; PTI leaders; police in Punjab and Sindh.
- What
- Protest rallies across Pakistan marking three years of Khan's imprisonment, with more than 100 supporters arrested and reports that some journalists covering the rallies were beaten by police.
- When
- Wednesday, August 5, 2026, the third anniversary of his imprisonment, which began on August 5, 2023.
- Where
- Across Pakistan, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Mianwali, Karachi and Peshawar; Khan is held at Adiala Jail.
- Why
- Supporters and rights groups demand Khan's release and allege unfair treatment; PTI says the cases against him are politically motivated, a charge the Shehbaz Sharif-led government denies.
PTI supporters and rights groups
Pakistan authorities
Khan's imprisonment and treatment
PTI supporters and rights groups
PTI leaders and Amnesty International allege Khan was denied a fair trial, kept in prolonged solitary confinement, denied medical treatment, and barred from family meetings for more than eight months; Moonis Elahi says his eyesight has deteriorated and that he and his wife Bushra Bibi have been denied regular access to legal counsel since December 2025.
Pakistan authorities
Khan was convicted in a corruption case in 2023 and remains in prison pending trial in other cases after some convictions were suspended or overturned; the Shehbaz Sharif-led government denies the cases are politically motivated.
Protest permission and police action
PTI supporters and rights groups
PTI says workers will continue to come out for Khan despite permission refusals; Aleema Khan says the movement for his release has begun, with its next phase to be announced soon.
Pakistan authorities
Authorities denied rally permission in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan, and police arrested more than 100 people, baton-charging protesters and using tear gas in Karachi to disperse demonstrations.
- Event
- Imran Khan completes three years in prison
- Imprisoned since
- August 5, 2023
- Age
- 73
- Detention location
- Adiala Jail
- Political party
- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
- Supporters arrested
- More than 100 across Pakistan
- Rally permission denied
- Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan
- Main protest venue
- Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Sources
Pakistan: Imran Khan Completes 3 Years In Jail; PTI Supporters Protest Across Pak, Over 20 Held
Imran Khan Supporters Protest Across Pakistan, over 100 Held
Imran Khan’s supporters stage protests across Pak to mark his 3 years in jail; over 100 held