Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced on Wednesday that the sons of former Prime Minister Imran Khan will be allowed to visit their father in Pakistan without requiring visas. The visit will be permitted based on their Pakistani citizenship through NICOP cards.

The announcement follows a request from Imran Khan’s ex wife, Jemima Goldsmith, who appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to allow Kasim Khan and Sulaiman Khan to meet their imprisoned father. Minister Tarar also confirmed that a phone call would be arranged between Imran Khan and his children for Eid, following established procedures, emphasizing that all Pakistani laws must be observed during the visit.

Jemima Goldsmith stated that the boys had applied for visas in January, but the process was delayed over 60 days despite assurances from Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and PM spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi. Kasim and Sulaiman have not seen their father since 2022 after an assassination attempt and have had no phone or letter contact.

Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 over a £190 million corruption case and faces additional trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to the May 9, 2023 protests.