Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has intensified its international lobbying efforts for the release of its founder, Imran Khan. Twenty British parliamentarians have now joined American senators in support of his release, with letters sent to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, facilitated by PTI member Zulfi Bukhari.
These UK parliamentarians voiced their serious concerns over Khan’s imprisonment, citing the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s statement that his detention lacks a legal basis. They argue that his incarceration is politically motivated, aiming to bar him from future elections and diminish his role in politics.
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The MPs raised concerns that Khan’s detention could undermine democracy in Pakistan, highlighting fears of his trial by a military court, which they see as a concerning overreach. This possibility, they assert, reflects an alarming shift towards military interference in civilian judicial matters.
The letter, referencing Amnesty International, criticized the legal system’s misuse to hold Khan in custody and prevent him from defending himself in multiple cases. The MPs also opposed the recent 26th Constitutional Amendment, which they claim compromises the Supreme Court’s power and sets a dangerous precedent, urging the UK government to uphold human rights and democracy by calling for Khan’s release.
