UK Parliament members have called for the immediate release of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned for nearly a year. This appeal was made during a recent hearing in the House of Lords Committee Room, which focused on the erosion of democratic norms in Pakistan and the “illegal incarceration” of Khan.
The hearing, organized by Labour MP Naz Shah and Conservative Peer Lord Hannan, saw the participation of at least 22 MPs from various political parties. The parliamentarians are urging UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy to address the issue, referencing a recent United Nations report on Khan’s detention. They have demanded his immediate release and called for the restoration of democratic processes in Pakistan.
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This session highlights the growing international concern over Pakistan’s political situation and Khan’s treatment. Attendees included notable figures such as Zulfikar Bukhari, Meher Bano Qureshi, and Sarwar Bari. Bukhari expressed fears that Khan might face trial in military courts and revealed that threats had been made against Azhar Mashwani, a former PTI social media lead, to prevent his attendance at the meeting.
The hearing underscores the increased scrutiny and concern from the international community regarding Pakistan’s political environment and the ongoing debate surrounding Khan’s detention and its broader implications for democracy in the country.
