WASHINGTON: Over 40 American lawmakers have urged US President Joe Biden to advocate for the immediate release of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and all other political prisoners in the country. In a letter to Biden, 46 members of the US House of Representatives, from both Republican and Democratic parties, emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of political prisoners, in line with the UN Working Group’s recommendations.
The letter, led by Representatives Susan Wild and John James, also criticized the role of US Ambassador Donald Blome, accusing him of failing to address the concerns of the Pakistani American community and advocating for the release of political prisoners. The lawmakers highlighted human rights violations and the erosion of civil liberties in Pakistan following the “flawed” February 2024 elections, which were marred by electoral fraud and state-led suppression of PTI.
The lawmakers expressed their disappointment over the unlawful detention of Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023 on various charges. They also raised concerns about mass arrests, arbitrary detentions, and internet shutdowns in Pakistan. Several PTI leaders, including Yasmin Rashid and Shah Mehmood Qureshi, have also been detained for over a year.
In response, opposition parties in Pakistan, including PPP leader Sherry Rehman, criticized the move, calling it foreign interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs. They argued that the letter from US lawmakers contradicted international norms and was an unwelcome attempt to influence Pakistan’s domestic politics.
