Imran Khan’s sons can visit Pakistan as Nicops are valid, Khawaja Asif says
Khawaja Asif rejected claims that the government is blocking their entry through visa restrictions.
The minister said Qasim and Sulaiman Khan can travel to Pakistan without visas because they hold valid National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis. He also shared partially censored details showing the documents remain valid.
Government position on Nicops
Khawaja Asif said the government has never stopped Imran Khan’s sons from entering Pakistan. He described claims about visa restrictions as incorrect.
“They can visit Pakistan today if they wish. Both Nicops are valid,” Asif stated. He also said, “Holders of Nicops can travel to Pakistan whenever they wish. There is no need for a visa.”
Why the issue has become controversial
Qasim and Sulaiman live in London with their mother, Jemima Goldsmith. They would need to travel to Pakistan if they want to meet their father, who is imprisoned at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
بانی pti کے بچوں نے ان NICOP پہ آخری دفعہ 2022 میں پاکستان سفر کیا تھا۔ اور آج اگر چاہئیں تو پاکستان تشریف لا سکتے ھیں۔ دونوں NICOP valid ھیں ۔ فیملی یا pti کا یہ تاثر دینا کہ حکومت انکو ویزا نہیں دے رہی غلط ھے۔ NICOP کی موجودگی جب چاہیں پاکستان سفر کر سکتے ھیں۔ ویزا کی کوئی…
The two brothers had previously claimed that their Nicops had expired and that their visa applications were not being processed. Jemima Goldsmith also appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to allow her sons to visit Pakistan.
Prison visit remains a separate issue
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also said that Imran’s sons can enter Pakistan using their Nicops. However, entering the country does not automatically guarantee permission to visit Imran in jail.
The government has maintained that the brothers are welcome to come to Pakistan, while Imran’s family has raised concerns about their safety and access to him. The disagreement over their travel documents and possible prison visit therefore remains unresolved.
The main dispute is now about more than just visas. The government says valid Nicops are enough for entry, while Imran Khan’s family has raised separate concerns about renewed documents, safety and access to the imprisoned PTI founder.
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