Fact check: Imran’s son Kasim did not demand the suspension of Pakistan’s GSP+ status at UNHRC

2026-03-26 - 11:21

Multiple PML-N supporters and media outlets on social media platform X have been sharing two videos since March 25, showing Kasim Khan, son of PTI founder Imran Khan, allegedly demanding the suspension of Pakistan’s status for the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade scheme. However, he made no such demand. The iVerify Pakistan team investigated this content and determined that it is false. Imran — imprisoned since 2023 for concealing details of Toshakhana gifts — is serving a 14-year sentence at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail in the £190 million corruption case. Meanwhile, his party and family have alleged that he is being kept in solitary confinement — with a restriction on visitors being allowed to meet him in jail — and have repeatedly raised concerns over his medical treatment after it surfaced in January that he suffered an eye ailment. His sons have been campaigning for his release as well. According to the European Union, GSP+ status is a special incentive awarded to developing countries to “pursue sustainable development and good governance” in exchange for cutting import duties to zero on two-thirds of the tariff lines of its exports. Governments with this status need to implement 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, good governance and the environment. On March 25, digital media outlet Thursday Times shared a video twice showing Kasim speaking at a talk with the following caption: “Kasim Khan (son of Imran Khan), while sitting with Dr Naseem Baloch, a leader of the Baloch National Movement, has demanded that the European Union revoke Pakistan’s GSP+ status, citing alleged ‘human rights violations’ in Pakistan. However, as an example, he could only cite the imprisonment of his father, Imran Khan (former prime minister).” The posts collectively gained 310,000 views. Media outlet ARY News Urdu also amplified the claim, sharing a screenshot of the viral clip on X with the following caption: “Kasim Khan’s demand to the European Union to end Pakistan’s GSP+ status.”