Jailed ex-Pak PM Imran says he is ‘stronger than ever’

Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan said he is "stronger and fitter than ever" since being jailed two months ago, according to a statement released by his family yesterday.

Khan was convicted of graft in August and jailed for three years, with the election commission subsequently banning him from contesting polls scheduled for January 2024.

"Let it be known that there's a difference of day and night between the Imran Khan of today and Imran Khan who was imprisoned on August 5," he said in the first statement to be released on his behalf since he was jailed.

"Today I am stronger and fitter; spiritually, mentally and physically, than ever before," added the former international cricket superstar. The statement also appeared on Khan's X account.

Khan said he has spent his time in jail reading the holy Quran, adding that he has "adjusted well to prison conditions".

"Do not give up," Khan told his supporters in yesterday's statement. "Keep raising your voice against this unelected predatory group and their facilitators at every forum and keep demanding a fair and transparent election in the country."

Since being ousted last year Khan has been tangled in a slew of legal cases he says are designed to stop him from contesting elections.