Forty-six members of the U.S. Congress have written to President Joe Biden, requesting the release of Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and other party leaders. This letter addresses concerns about undermining democracy and human rights in Pakistan.
As reported by Dawn News, the correspondence points out the continuous detention of Imran Khan, a prominent political figure in Pakistan, and the efforts to marginalize PTI ahead of the upcoming general elections. Congress members have called on the U.S. government to leverage its influence to safeguard democratic values.
The letter also expresses grave concerns about human rights abuses and the curtailment of civil liberties following the general elections scheduled for February 8, 2024. It underscores the need for the U.S. to reevaluate its policies towards Pakistan in light of these issues, as U.S. House Resolution 901 stipulated.
Read: PTI Seeks Foreign Aid for Imran Khan’s Release, Claims Defense Minister
Additionally, the letter alleges significant electoral irregularities and claims the government has used its influence to disadvantage PTI. It accuses the government of limiting PTI’s campaign activities, implementing social media bans, and misusing state resources to detain key leaders, including Imran Khan.
Notably, despite PTI’s critical stance against the activities of the U.S. embassy, the letter from U.S. Congress members supports the call for their release.
Read: Maulana Fazlur Rehman Calls for Imran Khan’s Release
Last month, over 60 members of Congress, led by Representative Greg Casar, also addressed a letter to President Biden demanding the release of Imran Khan and other political prisoners. This group emphasized the importance of human rights as a central focus of U.S. foreign policy.
This recent letter’s signatures include well-known Democratic representatives such as Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Brad Sherman, who affirmed their commitment to supporting the pursuit of authentic democracy in collaboration with the Pakistani populace and the global community.
This plea comes when Pakistan is embroiled in a deep political crisis, with opposition forces accusing the government of failing to conduct transparent elections.
