ISLAMABAD: A group of 160 Pakistani parliamentarians has expressed strong reservations about a letter sent by 62 US Congress members to President Joe Biden, urging the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.
The Pakistani lawmakers view the US Congress members’ letter as “interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs” and have written to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to convey their concerns.
Signatories of the letter include Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Naveed Qamar, Mustafa Kamal, Asiya Naz Tanoli, and Khalid Magsi.
پاکستانی ممبران ِ پارلیمنٹ نے امریکی کانگریس کے62 ایوانِ نمائندگان کیجانب سے پاکستان کی داخلی صورتحال میں مداخلت پر جوابی خط لکھ دیا
160ممبران کیجانب سے وزیراعظم پاکستان کو لکھے گئے خط میں مخصوص پارٹی کے بے بنیاد سیاسی بیانیےپر امریکی حکومت سے تحفظات کا اظہار کیا #Russian pic.twitter.com/zTaceXfEox
— Political Propaganda (@Polpropaganda) October 31, 2024
The parliamentarians emphasized that Imran Khan’s actions, including inciting riots and vandalism, have introduced political violence and threatened state institutions.
They highlighted instances where Khan encouraged mobs to attack Parliament, the State Television Building, and Radio Pakistan on May 9, 2023.
Khan’s history of disruptive politics, including paralyzing the country in August 2014 and May 2022, was also noted.
This response comes after 62 US Congress members, including Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, called on President Biden to advocate for Khan’s release and other political prisoners, citing concerns about human rights conditions in Pakistan.
“We write today to urge you to use the United States’ substantial leverage with Pakistan’s government to secure the release of political prisoners including former Prime Minister Khan and curtail widespread human rights abuses,”#ReleaseImranKhan pic.twitter.com/lWaHwPwr0S
— Mustafa (@mustafaaleem) October 27, 2024
The letter further stated that elements based in the US and the UK are supporting Khan’s negative campaign, prompting these countries to take extraordinary measures against their citizens.
The parliamentarians pointed out that America’s Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the Military Commissions Act of 2006 allow for prosecution under certain conditions.
Regarding the upcoming February general elections, the parliamentarians disputed the US Congress members’ views, emphasizing that these elections have been recognized internationally as free and fair.
They added that PTI has consistently tried to discredit the election process when it doesn’t succeed, as seen in the 2008 and 2013 elections.
The parliamentarians expressed surprise that American members of Congress would support someone with Khan’s record, including denying paternity to his daughter in a Los Angeles court and remaining a fugitive from that court.
They also noted that Khan is currently serving jail time for proven corruption charges, and Congress members’ comments could influence the judicial process.
The lawmakers also criticized the US Congress members’ views on the February 8 polls as “misinformed” and “one-sided,” noting that Khan’s party has consistently tried to undermine the electoral process.
They warned that commenting on ongoing court cases could unfairly influence Pakistan’s judicial process.
In a nod to past tensions, the lawmakers referenced the cipher case saga, where diplomatic communication was misused for political gain, causing a serious crisis in Pakistan-US relations.
They expressed surprise that US Congress members ignored Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu’s testimony, which debunked Khan’s claims of a US-orchestrated conspiracy against him.
The lawmakers urged Pakistan’s government to engage with the Pakistani caucus in the US Congress to set the record straight and caution them against unsubstantiated propaganda.
They emphasized their commitment to respecting the US political process and expected the same respect from US lawmakers.
