Jemima Goldsmith’s Plea to Elon Musk: A Mother’s Fight for Visibility

Jemima Goldsmith, the former wife of Pakistan’s ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan, has taken to social media to seek assistance from Elon Musk, expressing her frustration over what she believes is the suppression of her posts related to Khan’s imprisonment. On Friday, Goldsmith reached out publicly on X (formerly Twitter), claiming that her updates about Khan’s treatment and legal struggles have not been reaching the audience they deserve.

Concerns Over Social Media Visibility

In her recent posts, Goldsmith emphasized the dire situation faced by her two sons, who have been unable to see their father. Khan has reportedly been held unlawfully in solitary confinement for the past 22 months. Goldsmith pointed out that X is currently the only platform available for her to voice these critical issues, asserting that Khan is being treated as a political prisoner deprived of basic human rights. She described the visibility of her posts as being “throttled” to near invisibility, preventing important information from reaching both local and international audiences.

“You promised free speech,” Goldsmith addressed Musk directly, “not ‘speech but no one hears it.’” This direct appeal underscores her frustration with what she perceives as an infringement on her ability to communicate crucial updates regarding Khan’s situation.

Shocking Decline in Engagement Metrics

Alongside her plea, Goldsmith provided evidence from X’s AI tool, Grok, which illustrated a dramatic drop in her social media reach.

• Impression Statistics:
  • Her impressions had ranged from 400 to 900 million per month in early 2024, which was consistent with her audience of 3.56 million followers.
  • However, she reported that her total impressions fell to just 28.6 million in 2025—a staggering 97% decrease, reducing her reach to less than 3% of what was expected.

Goldsmith noted that a significant spike in engagement occurred in May 2025 when one of her posts reached 4 million impressions on the day Pakistan lifted its X ban. This brief moment of visibility was quickly followed by what she described as an immediate drop back to near-zero impressions.

Family Struggles Amidst Political Turmoil

Goldsmith accused the Pakistani authorities of obstructing her sons’ attempts to communicate with their father. She claimed that threats were made against them if they pursued any visits. Adding her voice to this family struggle, Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, voiced similar concerns outside Adiala Jail, stating that the family has faced barriers for over eight months and that they have been denied visits with Khan during his time in isolation.

Aleema Khan described the conditions of her brother’s detention, asserting, “They are torturing him.” Her remarks highlight the growing alarm among Khan’s family regarding his treatment in custody.

United Nations Calls for Action

Echoing these concerns, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture, Alice Jill Edwards, has called for immediate intervention regarding Khan’s reported detention conditions. She warned that these conditions could potentially qualify as torture or inhuman treatment.

Edwards described Khan’s circumstances following his transfer to Adiala Jail on September 26, 2023, where he is subjected to excessive solitary confinement—reportedly spending 23 hours a day in a cell under constant surveillance. Prolonged solitary confinement, as defined by international law, constitutes psychological torture after just 15 days. Edwards noted that Khan lacks access to outdoor activities and social interactions with other detainees, along with receiving inadequate medical care.

The Humanitarian Call

Edwards emphasized the obligation to treat individuals deprived of liberty with humanity and dignity. She pointed out that detention conditions must cater to the individual’s health needs, ensuring appropriate living conditions that include adequate ventilation, lighting, and space. Given that Khan, 72, suffers from a serious spinal condition and past gunshot injuries, these concerns are particularly pressing.

As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, and Goldsmith’s appeal highlights the intersection of personal anguish with broader political issues in Pakistan. The urgency surrounding Imran Khan’s case and the implications of social media visibility are pivotal in this ongoing narrative.