46 congressmen’s letter to Biden asking for Imran Khan’s release
Forty-six members of the US Congress have written another letter to President Joe Biden, expressing deep concern over the detention of Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan and the country’s human rights situation. Earlier last October, 60 more members wrote to Biden and made this call.
The Express Tribune reported this in a report on Saturday (November 16).
The letter accused Pakistan of ongoing human rights abuses and erosion of democratic values and called for immediate action from the US government.
Lawmakers in the US Congress expressed concern about the rigging of national elections in February this year. It has also accused the PTI of massive electoral fraud, irregularities and targeting of government institutions.
In the letter, Congress members criticized the Pakistani authorities for restricting public freedom, particularly freedom of expression. Arbitrary arrests, illegal detentions and Internet control over social media use are mentioned. Restrictions noted.
Describing Imran Khan as Pakistan’s most popular political leader, the issue of illegal detention has been highlighted. It also said that other senior PTI leaders including Yasmin Rashid and Shah Mehmood Qureshi have been detained for over a year.
Members of Congress have called for a review of the US embassy’s policy in Islamabad, saying the concerns of the Pakistani-American community are not being reflected in the embassy’s position. They also criticized the embassy’s quick positive statements about the new government in Pakistan.
Members of Congress stressed that the US administration must immediately take notice and pressurize Pakistan to implement its policies on human rights and restoration of democracy.
In April 2022, Imran Khan was ousted by a vote of no confidence in Parliament. After that more than 150 cases were filed against him in different courts of Pakistan.
Imran was arrested in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case in May last year. He is currently lodged in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi.
