Islamabad: Qasim Khan and Sulaiman Khan, the two sons of incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, have been unable to obtain Pakistani visas from the Pakistan High Commission in London, with official sources citing administrative and technical shortcomings in their applications as the primary reason.
According to reports, both Qasim and Sulaiman submitted visa applications last month, seeking permission to travel to Pakistan. However, the applications were not approved due to what officials described as technical deficiencies and incomplete information.
Diplomatic sources in London told The News that the visa applications are currently pending with the relevant section of the Ministry of Interior in Islamabad, where they remain under review. The sources clarified that the delay was not due to a formal rejection but because the applicants did not complete the process required to move the applications forward.
Officials familiar with the matter stated that the applicants were informed about specific shortcomings in their submissions and were asked to provide additional required information. However, according to the sources, the applicants did not show sufficient interest in rectifying the deficiencies, despite being formally requested to do so.
“The applicants were asked to remove the objections in their applications, but they did not respond adequately or provide the required details,” a source said, adding that under such circumstances, visa processing cannot proceed.
Sources further disclosed that both Qasim Khan and Sulaiman Khan are British passport holders and declared London as their place of birth in the visa application forms. However, the applications reportedly failed to demonstrate any clear connection with Pakistan, which is considered an important element in visa assessment, particularly for foreign nationals seeking entry into the country.
Additionally, officials noted that the applicants did not properly provide their travel history in the designated sections of the visa forms. Accurate and complete travel details are mandatory under Pakistani immigration regulations, and any omission or inconsistency can result in delays or suspension of the application process.
Because of these issues, the Ministry of Interior did not grant clearance, leaving the applications pending rather than issuing visas or formally rejecting them.
The development has attracted public and political attention due to Imran Khan’s current incarceration and the broader political environment surrounding the former prime minister and his party. PTI leaders and supporters have repeatedly raised concerns over access to Imran Khan, including restrictions on meetings with family members and legal counsel.
However, government and diplomatic sources have emphasized that the visa issue is purely procedural and administrative, and not influenced by political considerations. Officials insist that visa applications are processed under established rules and that no special exemptions are granted based on political affiliation or family background.
“Visa rules apply equally to everyone,” an official source said. “If mandatory information is missing or objections are not addressed, the application cannot proceed.”
Under Pakistan’s immigration framework, foreign passport holders applying for visas are required to clearly state the purpose of travel, disclose full travel history, and demonstrate their connection to Pakistan, if applicable. Failure to meet these requirements can lead to delays, objections, or suspension of processing until the deficiencies are resolved.
The case of Qasim and Sulaiman Khan highlights the importance of complying with procedural requirements, even for individuals linked to prominent political figures. Officials stressed that the system operates on documentation and verification, not personal identity or political status.
As of now, there has been no official confirmation regarding whether the applicants plan to resubmit corrected applications or provide the missing information requested by authorities. The Pakistan High Commission in London has also refrained from issuing any public statement, citing the confidential nature of visa matters.
Similarly, the Ministry of Interior has not released an official comment, maintaining its standard policy of not discussing individual visa cases publicly.
Political analysts note that while the issue may become a point of debate amid ongoing tensions between PTI and state institutions, visa-related delays are common when procedural requirements are not fulfilled. They argue that such cases are typically resolved once applicants address the identified shortcomings.
