Claim: According to a notice issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on 10 May 2025, Imran Khan passed away in judicial custody.
Fact: Imran Khan is alive; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) did not issue any notice announcing his death.
X user Amitabh Chaudhary (@MithilaWaala) shared a screenshot of an alleged press release, dated 10 May 2025 and attributed to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, claiming that PTI Chairman Imran Khan had passed away in judicial custody.
The document reads:
“PRESS RELEASE
It is with deep regret and solemnity that we confirm the passing of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in judicial custody. The incident occurred under circumstances that are currently under thorough investigation.
This development has sent shockwaves across the country and beyond, and the Government of Pakistan acknowledges the gravity of the situation. We are committed to ensuring complete transparency as we determine the causes and accountability behind this tragic event.
Pakistan has always upheld the sanctity of life and the rule of law. The protection of human rights, especially in custodial settings, is a cornerstone of our democratic framework. The Government is actively engaging with relevant UN human rights bodies and independent observers to ensure a credible and impartial inquiry.
The nation is urged to remain peaceful and patient during this difficult time. We reaffirm our dedication to justice, unity, and national stability.
Islamabad
10 May 2025”
Imran Khan’s tenure
Former Pakistani cricketer turned politician Imran Khan won the general elections in 2018 and served as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan. However, in 2022, Khan was ousted from power after losing a no-confidence vote in the parliament. In November 2023, Khan was arrested from his Lahore residence after receiving a three-year prison sentence in a corruption case involving the illegal sale of state gifts. This conviction also disqualified Khan from holding political office for five years.
Khan, who was previously arrested in May 2023 in another corruption case, denied any wrongdoing and claimed he had acquired the gifts legally. His arrest followed over 150 legal cases against him since his ousting in April 2022, many of which were linked to allegations of corruption and inciting violence.
In January 2024, the former Prime Minister was sentenced to 10 years in prison for leaking state secrets under the Official Secrets Act. A year later, in January 2025, Khan was sentenced to 14 years in prison in a corruption case involving the Al-Qadir Trust, making it the longest sentence he has received so far. He was also fined over £4,000, while his wife, Bushra Bibi, received a seven-year sentence and a fine. Khan has dismissed all the charges, claiming that they are politically motivated.
Fact or Fiction?
Soch Fact Check initially conducted a keyword search using terms such as “Imran Khan,” “passed,” and “judicial custody,” but did not find any relevant reports from credible news outlets.
We then reviewed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (MoFA) official website and did not find any such press release. Since the alleged document was dated 10 May 2025, we specifically checked the Ministry’s updates from that day. The only official statement published was a response to remarks by the Indian Foreign Secretary, in which Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to the newly announced ceasefire with India and called for restraint and communication to address any violations.
It is worth noting that the MoFA typically issues statements related only to the country’s external affairs. Therefore, it would be highly unusual for an announcement of a former prime minister’s death to come from the ministry. If the claim were true, an announcement would more likely come from the authorities at Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan is currently imprisoned, or the senior PTI leadership, such as Barrister Gohar or Aleema Khan.
Soch Fact Check reviewed the account that shared the post. The bio reads:
“हिन्दू तन-मन, हिन्दू जीवन, रग-रग हिन्दू मेरा परिचय! 🚩From Mata Sita’s birthplace Mithila🙏”
[Translation: “Hindu body and soul, Hindu life, every vein of mine is Hindu; this is my identity! From Mata Sita’s birthplace, Mithila.]
The account’s location is listed as India.
A review of the account’s recent activity revealed multiple instances of false information primarily targeting Pakistan amid the recent military escalation between India and Pakistan. The account also shared several derogatory posts about Pakistan’s incumbent Prime Minister and the country’s armed forces. This suggests that the notice is also not authentic.
Virality:
On X, it was shared here, here, here, here, here, and here. Archived here, here, here, here, here, and here.
On Instagram, it was shared here (archive).
It was shared here on Threads.
Conclusion: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) did not issue any statements announcing former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s death in judicial custody.
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Background image in cover photo: TRT/Dawn
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