More than 60 members of the US House of Representatives have officially urged President Biden to advocate for the release of political prisoners in Pakistan, specifically calling for the freedom of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
In a letter directed to President Biden, the lawmakers emphasised their support for Khan’s immediate release and denounced the widespread arbitrary detention of political party members and activists in Pakistan.
They requested that the Biden administration obtain assurances from the Pakistani government regarding Khan’s safety and well-being, and urged US embassy officials to visit him in prison.
The letter stressed the importance of prioritising human rights in US policy toward Pakistan. It stated, “We stand in solidarity with the people of Pakistan and their struggle to rebuild a genuinely representative democracy.”
This correspondence marks the first instance of US Congress members formally calling for the release of Imran Khan and others, following House Resolution 901, which advocates for US support of democracy and human rights in Pakistan.
The letter also condemned the Pakistani government’s measures against social media and internet freedom.
The initiative was led by Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35) and co-signed by Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) and Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12), alongside notable figures such as Barbara Lee, Brad Sherman, Raja Krishnamurti, Judy Chu, Maxine Waters, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ro Khanna, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilhan Omar.
