Daily Times

Forty-six members of the US Congress have written another letter to President Joe Biden, expressing grave concern over the detention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and the broader human rights situation in Pakistan.

The letter accuses Pakistan of ongoing human rights violations and the erosion of democratic values, urging immediate action from the US government.

The lawmakers raised concerns over the alleged rigging of the February 2024 general elections, citing widespread electoral fraud, irregularities, and accusations that government institutions were targeting PTI.

The Congress members also expressed dissatisfaction over reports from Commonwealth observers and the European Union being withheld from the public. They further criticised the Pakistani authorities for restricting public freedoms, particularly freedom of expression, and noted large-scale arrests, illegal detentions, and social media restrictions.

The letter highlighted the unlawful detention of former prime minister Imran Khan, describing him as Pakistan’s most popular political leader. It also pointed out that other senior PTI leaders, including Yasmin Rashid and Shah Mehmood Qureshi, have been in custody for over a year.

The members of Congress called for a review of US embassy policies in Islamabad, expressing disappointment that the concerns of the Pakistani-American community were not being reflected in the embassy’s stance. They also criticised the embassy’s swift positive statements about the new government in Pakistan. The letter urges President Biden to take action to stop human rights abuses in Pakistan, calling for the immediate release of political prisoners, including Imran Khan. The Congress members also demanded that the new US ambassador to Pakistan be tasked with promoting human rights and democratic values.

The Congress members stressed that the letter underscores the growing concern in the US Congress about the crisis in democracy and human rights in Pakistan, urging the US administration to take immediate notice and advance its policy on human rights and democracy restoration.

Separately, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said that there are no recent indications from the Pakistani authorities that they intend to try former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in a military court.

The UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs said this in his response to Kim Johnson MP’s letter which he wrote to the British government on request of Zulfi Bukhari, Khan’s adviser on international affairs.

Lammy MP said: “I have raised concerns about the potential use of military courts to try civilians, including Imran Khan. Such courts can lack transparency and independent scrutiny, making it difficult to assess compliance with international standards.”

“We have no recent indications from the Pakistani authorities that they intend to try Imran Khan in a military court, but my officials continue to monitor the situation closely,” he added.

Bukhari had arranged a letter for the UK government from 20 MPs from all parties, a month ago. It had raised concerns about the changes in judiciary and the passage of 26th Amendment.

The foreign secretary said: “While Pakistan’s judicial processes are a domestic matter, we have been very clear that the Pakistani authorities need to act in line with their international obligations and with respect for fundamental freedoms, including the right to a fair trial, due process and humane detention. This applies to Imran Khan as it does to all Pakistan’s citizens.”

Lammy said: “Like you, I remain concerned by restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, including in relation to the political opposition. In our engagements with the authorities, we continue to underline that the freedom to hold and express views without censorship, intimidation or unnecessary restriction is a cornerstone in a democracy.

“The FCDO [Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office] minister responsible for Pakistan, Falconer, has raised the importance of upholding civil and political rights with Pakistan’s Human Rights Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. Minister Falconer is due to visit Pakistan later this year, and I have asked him to arrange a meeting with you and other interested parliamentarians on his return.

“With regard to Pakistan’s constitutional amendments, I note that these were passed by Pakistan’s parliament in October. While any amendment to Pakistan’s constitution is a matter for Pakistan, we have been clear that an independent judiciary, able to check and balance other state organs, is critical to a functioning democracy. The UK will continue to work with Pakistan across the breadth of our shared interests.”

Welcoming the letter, Bukhari said: “Once again on behalf of the people of Pakistan I would like to thank Kim Johnson MP and all the other honourable members of Parliament & the House Of Lords who signed the letter raising grave concerns about Imran Khan’s illegal incarceration and the lack of human rights currently in Pakistan.”

“Thank you Foreign Secretary David Lammy for the reply and addressing the letter. The people of Pakistan are truly suffering in unimaginable ways due to the actions of a tyrannical unelected government. Respect for free and fair elections, and the rule of law, underpinned by an independent judiciary, are the bedrock of a democracy. Pakistanis continue to struggle for theirs,” added ex-PM Khan’s aide.

The signatories to the original letter were: Johnson MP, Paula Barker MP, Apsana Begum MP, Liam Byrne MP, Rosie Duffield MP, Gill Furniss MP, Paulette Hamilton MP, Peter Lamb MP, Andy McDonald MP, Abtisam Mohamed MP, Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, Zarah Sultana MP, Steve Witherden MP, Nadia Whittome MP, Baroness Joan Bakewell, Baroness Christine Blower, Lord Peter Hain, Lord John Hendy and Lord Todoanfel.

Moreover, Pakistan’s military has firmly ruled out the possibility of negotiating or striking a deal with imprisoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, British newspaper The Guardian reported, quoting senior military sources. The statement comes after the former prime minister expressed a willingness to engage in talks with the military leadership from his prison cell.