Dozens of US lawmakers demand release of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan

WASHINGTON, Oct 23 (Reuters) – More than 60 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives opened a new tab on Wednesday for President Joe Biden to secure the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. sent a letter urging Washington to use its influence over Pakistan.

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“We write today to urge the government of Pakistan to use its substantial influence to secure the release of political prisoners, including former Prime Minister Khan, and to curb widespread human rights abuses. Write,” he said.

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U.S. Representative Greg Cassar, who led the letter, said it was the first time multiple U.S. members of Congress had collectively called for the release of Khan, a longtime critic of U.S. foreign policy who had a rocky relationship with Washington. He said that.

Mr Khan has been in jail since August 2023 and has faced dozens of lawsuits since he was ousted as prime minister in 2022 and then launched a protest movement against a rival coalition led by current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. There is. Khan maintains that the case against him, which disqualified him from running in February’s elections, is politically motivated.

He clashed with Pakistan’s powerful military, blaming them for his ouster. The military denies political interference.

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Democratic lawmakers also expressed concern about reported irregularities in Pakistan’s elections.

Pakistan’s government denies that Khan was treated unfairly, and its election commission denies that the election was fraudulent.

Washington said February’s vote could not be called free and fair. The UK, European Union and United Nations also expressed concern.

Khan did not run, but the candidates he supported secured the most seats. Still, his rivals formed a coalition government.

The United Nations Human Rights Working Group said in July that Khan’s detention violated international law.

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Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington. Editing: David Gregorio

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Kanishka Singh is a breaking news reporter for Reuters in Washington, D.C. In her current role, she primarily covers U.S. politics and national affairs. His past breaking news coverage has spanned a wide range of topics, including the Black Lives Matter movement. US elections. The 2021 Capitol riot and subsequent investigation. EU Withdrawal Agreement. US-China trade friction. NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan. The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. and a 2019 Supreme Court ruling on the scene of religious conflict in his native India.

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