UN urges Pakistan to free activist Idris Khattak, citing health risks and legal obligations - JURIST - News

## Summary
News United Nations human rights experts on Thursday called on Pakistan to immediately release activist Idris Khattak , stating that his continued detention and reported lack of medical care raise concerns regarding his health and the state’s obligations under international law. In their statement, the UN experts called on Pakistan to comply with its international human rights obligations and to release Khattak without delay. The UN experts stated that continued detention in the absence of adequate medical care may result in further violations of Khattak’s rights. The situation may also contribute to increased international scrutiny of Pakistan’s compliance with its human rights obligations.

## Article Content
News
United Nations human rights experts on
Thursday
called on Pakistan to immediately release activist
Idris Khattak
, stating that his continued detention and reported lack of medical care raise concerns regarding his health and the state’s obligations under international law. The statement was issued in Geneva on April 2, 2026. The development coincided with
reports
from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that party leaders were prevented from meeting detained former prime minister
Imran Khan
at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, despite court-authorized visitation days.
According to the UN experts, Khattak is suffering from multiple
medical conditions
, including diabetes, hypertension, and a dental infection. An independent medical assessment indicated symptoms consistent with uncontrolled diabetes, which the experts attributed to limited access to necessary treatment and medication. They emphasized that states have a duty to ensure the health and well-being of individuals deprived of their liberty, in accordance with international human rights standards.
PTI officials reported that party representatives were
stopped
at the Dhagil check post outside Adiala Jail while attempting to attend a scheduled visit. Under existing
orders
of the Islamabad High Court, meetings are permitted on Tuesdays and Thursdays. PTI leader
Seemabia Tahir
stated that the delegation arrived during the designated time and that their names had been approved in advance, but security personnel denied them entry. The party further alleged that Khan has been held in solitary confinement and has not been allowed visitors for several weeks. According to the party, his last legal meeting took place on February 10, following the Supreme Court’s intervention.
In their statement, the UN experts called on Pakistan to comply with its international human rights obligations and to release Khattak without delay. They further noted that the government has a responsibility to protect the rights to life, health, and physical and mental integrity of individuals in custody.
Khattak was subjected to an enforced
disappearance
in November 2019. In 2021, a military court sentenced him to 14 years’ imprisonment on espionage charges following a closed trial. In November 2025, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
determined
that his detention was unlawful and recommended his immediate release and compensation. Pakistani authorities have not implemented these recommendations.
The UN experts stated that continued detention in the absence of adequate medical care may result in further violations of Khattak’s rights. The situation may also contribute to increased international scrutiny of Pakistan’s compliance with its human rights obligations.

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
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### Areas for Consideration
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### Implications
- The UN experts stated that continued detention in the absence of adequate medical care may result in further violations of Khattak’s rights.
- The situation may also contribute to increased international scrutiny of Pakistan’s compliance with its human rights obligations.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers rights, experts, khattak topics. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 401.