US Lawmakers Ask Rubio to Raise Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi’s Jail Conditions With Pakistan

US lawmakers have called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to review.

The detention conditions of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, and raise concerns about their treatment with Islamabad.

In an August 11 congressional letter, lawmakers cited reports and communications from the UN Special Rapporteur on torture regarding the couple’s conditions at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. The concerns include alleged prolonged solitary confinement, limited access to family members and lawyers, and issues related to their health.

The lawmakers urged the US State Department to assess the current circumstances of both detainees and engage directly with the Pakistani government over their continued detention and alleged human rights concerns.

Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over Imran Khan’s Health

The letter references a December 2025 communication from the UN Special Rapporteur on torture, along with other reports, regarding Khan’s detention conditions.

According to the lawmakers, Khan has reportedly spent extended periods in solitary confinement, including periods of up to 23 hours a day.

The letter also highlights concerns about his eyesight. It cites a February 2026 court submission by his lawyer claiming that Khan had lost 85 per cent of the vision in his right eye.

The lawmakers further referred to earlier concerns raised by Khan about an alleged risk of “slow poisoning” during the initial period of his detention.

Bushra Bibi’s Detention Conditions Also Flagged

The congressional letter separately raises concerns about Bushra Bibi’s reported treatment at Adiala Jail.

Citing a December 2025 communication from the UN Special Rapporteur, lawmakers said she was reportedly held for extended periods in a small, poorly ventilated and overheated cell.

The letter also points to alleged restrictions on access to clean drinking water, adequate food, family visits and legal representatives.

It further cites reports alleging significant weight loss, infections and other medical complications, as well as concerns over her eyesight.

UN Rapporteur Calls for Immediate Attention

The lawmakers referred to concerns previously raised by the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

According to the congressional letter, the Special Rapporteur considered the circumstances surrounding Khan and Bushra Bibi serious enough to warrant “immediate attention.”

The lawmakers have asked the State Department to examine the allegations and determine the pair’s current health and detention conditions.

Rubio Urged to Engage With Islamabad

The lawmakers are also seeking direct US engagement with Pakistan over the issue.

They have urged the State Department to review the reported conditions and assess the current status of both detainees, while also raising concerns about their continued detention and alleged human rights violations with the Pakistani government.

The request places the treatment of Khan and Bushra Bibi on the agenda of US-Pakistan diplomatic engagement as American lawmakers call for greater scrutiny of their detention conditions.