Jemima Goldsmith, the former wife of jailed Pakistani ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan, has publicly called on X owner Elon Musk to intervene, alleging that the platform is deliberately suppressing her posts regarding Khan’s detention and treatment.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been in custody since August 2023 following his removal from office in 2022 and subsequent convictions.
Claims of “Secret Throttling”
Goldsmith claimed that X’s own AI tool, Grok, analyzed her account and identified “secret throttling,” which is hiding her posts about Khan’s situation.
- Dramatic Drop in Reach: She cited data showing a severe collapse in visibility despite her 3.5 million-plus followers.
- Her posts allegedly averaged 400 to 900 million impressions per month through 2023 and early 2024.
- In contrast, her total impressions for 2025 reportedly stood at a mere 28.6 million—a reduction of almost 97 per cent.
- The Appeal to Musk: Addressing the X CEO directly, Goldsmith wrote, “You promised free speech, not speech but no one hears it,” urging him to restore her account’s reach.
- Alleged Cause: Goldsmith suggested Grok attributed this suppression to pressure from Pakistani authorities, who she claimed are monitoring criticism from Khan’s immediate family.
- External Support: Journalist Piers Morgan spoke out against the “obvious suppression” and urged Musk and Pakistani authorities to afford Khan his basic human rights.
Allegations Regarding Khan’s Detention
Goldsmith detailed the severe conditions of Khan’s confinement and lack of family access:
- Brutal Solitary Confinement: She stated Khan has been held for 22 months in what she described as “brutal solitary confinement” as a political prisoner.
- Barriers to Family Contact: Goldsmith claimed that their two sons have neither seen nor spoken to their father for months and are even barred from sending letters.
- Erosion of Voice: She highlighted that Khan’s name has been effectively erased from Pakistani television and radio, making X the “only independent platform” left.
Family Protests and International Scrutiny
Goldsmith’s appeal coincides with heightened tensions and renewed protests:
- Family Protests: Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, accused authorities of subjecting him to torture and illegal isolation at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, stating that family members have been denied weekly visits for eight months. PTI supporters gathered outside the prison to protest the detention conditions.
- International Concerns: Khan’s detention has repeatedly drawn criticism from rights groups. In July 2024, a panel of UN human rights experts called his detention arbitrary and a violation of international law, suggesting it was aimed at preventing his return to politics—a finding the Pakistani government rejected.
