Twenty cross-party British parliamentarians have called on the UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy to seek the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan from Adiala Jail, urging engagement with the Pakistani government.
This appeal, led by Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside, was initiated at the request of Imran Khan’s International Affairs advisor, Zulfi Bukhari.
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The letter, signed by MPs from the Commons and Lords—including Kim Johnson, Paula Barker, Apsana Begum, Rosie Duffield, Zarah Sultana, Lord Peter Hain, and others—expresses “grave concern” over Khan’s continued detention.
The parliamentarians referenced findings from the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which deemed Khan’s imprisonment legally unfounded and politically motivated.
The letter underscored a pattern of “legal system weaponisation” to hinder Khan’s political involvement, pointing out Amnesty International’s observation of “inadequate time and facilities” afforded to him in legal proceedings. Concerns were raised about potential escalations in his case, particularly the possibility of a military court trial.
The MPs highlighted recent amendments threatening judicial independence and reported detentions of PTI activists despite authorised rallies. Emphasising the UK’s commitment to human rights, they urged Lammy to advocate for Khan’s release, stating that protecting democracy remains a global obligation.
