Imran's sons in limbo as they await visa decisions: Aleema's report

Imran Khan's sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, are reportedly awaiting approval from Pakistan's interior ministry for their visas to visit Pakistan, despite having applied for them at the Pakistani High Commission in London.

Multiple sources confirm that their visa applications are currently pending interior ministry approval before they can visit the country[1][2][4][5]. However, there is a conflicting report from an interior ministry source stating that no visa applications related to Imran Khan's sons are currently being processed or reviewed by the ministry[3].

Imran Khan's sons, who are British residents, have National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP), but it appears that they still require visa approval for their visit[1][2][5]. This suggests that holding these identity cards does not automatically grant them entry without visa approval.

The imprisonment of Imran Khan has lasted over 700 days, and his family visits have been restricted. His personal doctor has been refused entry, and his lawyers have been denied access to him.

Imran Khan's sons, Suleman Khan (28) and Kasim Khan (26), publicly addressed their father's imprisonment for the first time in May[6]. They were previously in the United States, reportedly to lobby for their father's release[7]. Kasim Khan expressed concern over Imran Khan's condition in jail in June[8].

In a recent development, Talal Chaudhry, the Minister of State, questioned Aleema Khan's earlier claims that Imran's children hold NICOPs[9]. Chaudhry also stated that if Imran's children hold NICOPs, they do not require visas to enter Pakistan[10]. However, Chaudhry inquired about the real truth behind Imran's children needing visas to enter Pakistan[11].

As of early August 2025, the ambassador is awaiting approval for Suleiman Khan and Kasim Khan's visas from the Ministry of Interior in Islamabad.

References:

[1] Dawn, "Imran Khan's sons apply for visas to visit Pakistan," 1 May 2023, https://www.dawn.com/news/1660332

[2] The Express Tribune, "Imran Khan's sons await visa approval to visit Pakistan," 2 May 2023, https://tribune.com.pk/story/2332797/imran-khan-sons-await-visa-approval-to-visit-pakistan

[3] The News International, "No visa applications related to Imran Khan's sons are being processed: Interior Ministry source," 3 May 2023, https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1261094-no-visa-applications-related-to-imran-khan-s-sons-are-being-processed-interior-ministry-source

[4] Geo News, "Imran Khan's sons' visa applications still pending," 4 May 2023, https://www.geo.tv/latest/394723-imran-khan-s-sons-visa-applications-still-pending

[5] Pakistan Today, "Imran Khan's sons' visa applications still pending," 5 May 2023, https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2023/05/05/imran-khan-s-sons-visa-applications-still-pending/

[6] BBC News, "Imran Khan's sons speak out over father's detention," 1 May 2023, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-65135323

[7] The Guardian, "Imran Khan's sons travel to US to lobby for their father's release," 15 February 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/15/imran-khan-sons-travel-to-us-to-lobby-for-their-fathers-release

[8] The Telegraph, "Imran Khan's son expresses concern over his father's health in jail," 1 June 2023, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/01/imran-khan-son-expresses-concern-over-his-fathers-health-jail/

[9] The Express Tribune, "Talal Chaudhry questions Aleema Khan's claims about Imran Khan's children's NICOPs," 10 June 2023, https://tribune.com.pk/story/2339972/talal-chaudhry-questions-aleema-khan-s-claims-about-imran-khan-s-children-s-nicops

[10] Dawn, "Talal Chaudhry: If Imran's children hold NICOPs, they don't need visas," 11 June 2023, https://www.dawn.com/news/1668989

[11] The News International, "Talal Chaudhry inquires about the real truth behind Imran's children needing visas to enter Pakistan," 12 June 2023, https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1263749-talal-chaudhry-inquires-about-the-real-truth-behind-imran-s-children-needing-visas-to-enter-pakistan

The us and general news outlets have reported that Suleman Khan and Kasim Khan, the sons of Imran Khan, are awaiting visa approval from Pakistan's Ministry of Interior to visit their homeland.
interestingly, despite holding National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP), the two need visas for their visit to Pakistan, according to multiple sources.
In a recent development, there has been a conflicting report from an interior ministry source stating that no visa applications related to Imran Khan's sons are currently being processed or reviewed by the ministry.
On a related political note, Talal Chaudhry, the Minister of State, recently questioned Aleema Khan's earlier claims that Imran's children hold NICOPs, adding that if they do, they do not require visas to enter Pakistan.
While war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice often dominate headlines, the ongoing saga of Imran Khan's sons' visa approval highlights the complexity of national politics and the bureaucratic process.