Over 60 Democratic lawmakers from the U.S. House of Representatives wrote to President Joe Biden on Wednesday, urging him to use Washington’s influence to secure the release of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and other political prisoners. They expressed concerns about widespread human rights violations in Pakistan.
The letter, led by U.S. Representative Greg Casar, is significant as it marks the first coordinated call from multiple U.S. Congress members for Khan’s release. Despite having a strained relationship with Washington due to his criticisms of U.S. foreign policy, Khan’s imprisonment has raised concerns about human rights abuses. Khan has been in jail since August 2023 after being ousted as prime minister in 2022, which he claims was politically motivated.
Read more: Bushra Bibi Freed from Adiala Jail Custody
The lawmakers also expressed worries about irregularities in Pakistan’s elections, which Khan believes were rigged to prevent him from participating. Khan’s removal is blamed on a fallout with Pakistan’s military, which he accuses of political interference, though the military denies involvement. His disqualification from the February 2024 elections has sparked international concern about the fairness of the democratic process.
Washington, alongside Britain, the European Union, and the United Nations, has raised concerns about the integrity of Pakistan’s elections, with reports of Khan’s detention violating international law. Despite his absence from the February elections, candidates backed by Khan won the most seats, but his political rivals formed a coalition government.
