English business magnate urges “immediate release of Imran Khan”

English business magnate Richard Branson has called for the release of former prime minister Imran Khan from prison, stating that his detention undermines the democratic image of Pakistan.

Branson, co-founder of the Virgin Group, took to X (formerly Twitter) to appeal for the release of his friend.

“It’s not cricket. Imran Khan should be released immediately by Pakistan’s authorities. His arbitrary detention casts a dark shadow on respect for democracy and rule of law in Pakistan,” he wrote.

His post accompanied an old picture of himself with the PTI founder, along with a link to a Time magazine article titled, “Fears Grow for Health of Pakistan’s Jailed Former Prime Minister Imran Khan.”

Canadian billionaire Jeffery Skoll, who owns Participant Media company, also shared Branson’s post, stating that Imran Khan had been sentenced on false charges.

He added that Khan’s government was forcibly removed, he survived an assassination attempt, and is now incarcerated on “fabricated charges despite orders from the Supreme Court of Pakistan to free him.”

“It is unconscionable that a democracy can act this way while the world stands idly by,” Skoll remarked.

Earlier, Khan’s former spouse, Jemima Goldsmith, also raised concerns about her ex-husband’s solitary confinement at Adiala Jail and stated that he has been cut off from the outside world.