Around 60 Democratic lawmakers from the US House of Representatives have sent a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to use American influence to secure the release of Imran Khan, the imprisoned founding chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
In their letter, the lawmakers highlighted the need to address widespread human rights abuses in Pakistan, stating, “We write today to urge you to use the United States’ substantial leverage with Pakistan’s government to secure the release of political prisoners including former Prime Minister Khan.”
The letter, which was sent on Wednesday, marks a significant collective call from US Congress members for Khan’s release, a gesture that comes despite Khan’s historically strained relations with Washington.
Background on Imran Khan’s Imprisonment
Imran Khan has been incarcerated since August 2023 and faces over 200 cases following his removal from the prime minister’s office in April 2022 through a parliamentary vote of no confidence.
His party claims that these charges are politically motivated. While Khan has been acquitted or granted bail in many cases, several pending charges relate to the violent protests that erupted on May 9, 2023, following his arrest on corruption charges.
Among the allegations is the contentious £190 million Al Qadir University land corruption case, which claims Khan and his wife, Bushra, acquired significant financial gains for legalising funds returned to Pakistan by the UK during the PTI government.
Khan has consistently maintained that the cases against him, which disqualify him from participating in the February 2024 elections, are orchestrated to undermine his political career. In July, a UN human rights working group concluded that Khan’s detention violates international law.
Political ramifications
The political turmoil surrounding Khan intensified after his May 2023 arrest, which led to violent protests by his supporters. These protests included assaults on military facilities, igniting a national debate about the military’s role in Pakistan’s politics.
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Following the unrest, Khan reportedly reached out to US Congresswoman Maxine Moore Waters, seeking her help in raising awareness about alleged human rights abuses in Pakistan.
Amidst the calls for Khan’s release, Democratic lawmakers also expressed concern over reported electoral irregularities in Pakistan. The Pakistani government has rejected claims of unfair treatment towards Khan and has denied any electoral misconduct.
Despite Khan’s absence from the race, candidates he supported managed to secure the highest number of seats in the recent elections.
However, they fell short of the necessary parliamentary support to form a government. In contrast, rival parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), formed a coalition government.
As accusations of electoral malpractice continue to swirl, Khan’s political future remains uncertain, and his supporters rally for his release.
The letter from US lawmakers signifies a growing concern over human rights in Pakistan and highlights the international implications of domestic political struggles.
