US Congress Calls for Imran Khan’s Release
Khan has been in jail since August 2023 and has faced dozens of cases since he was removed as prime minister in 2022 after which he launched a protest movement against a coalition of his rivals led by current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“We will respond to the members in due course,” State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said during a media briefing in Washington on Monday, responding query about congressmen’s letters.
Miller said that the US wishes to see sustained democracy in Pakistan.
During the press briefing, it was further inquired about a meeting between the US Deputy Assistant Secretary and a representative of the Pakistani government in Islamabad, noting that this meeting was followed by the release of the PTI founder’s wife and sisters.
When asked if the US had any involvement in their release, Miller declined to comment, stating, “I won’t be addressing that.” Miller confirmed, however, that the meeting discussed the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms in Pakistan.
62 US Congressmen write to President Biden for PTI founder’s release
On October 24, 62 US Congressmen called on President Joe Biden to advocate for the release of Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan and other political prisoners.
In their letter, the congressmen including prominent Muslim members Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib urged the Biden administration to seek assurances from Pakistani authorities regarding the PTI founder Imran Khan’s safety.
They also requested that US diplomats visit the PTI leader in prison and emphasized that US policy should focus on human rights conditions in Pakistan.
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