Over 40 US lawmakers have urged President Joe Biden to press for the immediate freedom of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and other political detainees, whilst ensuring their protection in accordance with the UN Working Group report findings, as reported by Geo TV.
A group of 46 Congress members sent a letter to President Biden, requesting his intervention for the release of the imprisoned PM. This information was shared by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) American Wing on X platform, highlighting that representatives from both Republican and Democratic parties participated in this initiative, jointly led by Susan Wild and John James.
PTI highlighted that the letter criticised US Ambassador Donald Blome‘s performance, particularly his inability to address Pakistani American community’s concerns regarding political prisoners’ release, human rights restoration, and democratic principles.
According to Geo News, Pakistan rejected the resolution, stating it demonstrated an incomplete grasp of Pakistan’s political situation and electoral process. The lawmakers referenced H. Res. 901, emphasising bipartisan support for policy change regarding human rights violations in Pakistan following the February 2024 elections, which they described as flawed.
The American legislators expressed concerns about widespread electoral irregularities, including PTI’s disenfranchisement and result manipulation. They criticised the mass arrests, arbitrary detentions, and social media restrictions, including internet speed reduction.
The lawmakers particularly highlighted Khan’s detention since August 2023, noting his status as “widely perceived to be Pakistan’s most popular political figure”. They also mentioned the prolonged detention of PTI leaders like Yasmin Rashid and Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
This congressional letter follows a previous appeal by 60 US House Representatives seeking Khan’s release. Opposition parties in Pakistan, including PPP’s Sherry Rehman, criticised these moves as foreign interference in domestic affairs, describing them as contrary to international protocols.