Kasim Khan, one of the two sons of the incarcerated founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, on Tuesday claimed that he is “very hopeful” that his father will be released following a meeting with United States (US) President Donald Trump’s Envoy for Special Missions, Richard Grenell.

 

“He was very kind to spend some time with us … I can’t give details on what we spoke about, but I am very hopeful from that,” he said in an interview with Real America’s Voice (RAV).

 

On July 22, Grenell, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a photo where he's meeting Imran Khan’s sons, advising them to “stay strong”.

 

He welcomed his “friends” in California, writing, “I loved hanging out with you [Suleman Khan and Kasim Khan] today.” Donald Trump aide added, “There are millions of people around the world who are sick of political prosecutions. You are not alone. #freeimrankhan.”

 

When asked to give names of allies his father has in Pakistan or around the globe, who can help secure Imran Khan’s release, Kasim replied that they are looking “America at the moment”, given that a lot of people there have expressed concern over his father’s incarceration.

 

Separately, the party’s Central Secretary for Information Sheikh Waqas Akram on Tuesday denied media reports suggesting that Imran Khan advised his sons against travelling to Pakistan, calling such claims factually incorrect and taken out of context.

 

“The news circulating in the media regarding Imran Khan’s children is completely false. Khan has not at all prevented his children from coming to Pakistan,” said Akram in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

 

“There should be no doubt that Imran Khan’s children will come to Pakistan; only the date remains to be decided,” he said, adding that Imran Khan’s sons had already informed their father of their plans and did not seek his permission.

 

This comes after some media outlets, quoting sources present during a hearing at Adiala Jail, reported that Imran Khan had stated his sons would not be coming to Pakistan to join the protest scheduled for August 5.

 

Imran, imprisoned since August 5 2023, is serving a 14-year sentence at Adiala Jail Rawalpindi in the £190 million corruption case and also faces pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to the May 9, 2023, protests.