LONDON: In a significant move, 20 British parliamentarians from across the political spectrum have urged UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to advocate for the release of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan from Adiala Jail.
The letter, initiated by Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside, comes at the request of Khan’s adviser on International Affairs, Zulfi Bukhari, and has garnered support from members of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
The signatories include notable figures such as Paula Barker MP, Apsana Begum MP, Liam Byrne MP, Rosie Duffield MP, and Lord Peter Hain, among others.
The letter expresses “grave concern” regarding Khan’s ongoing detention, which began in 2023. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has determined that his imprisonment lacks a legal basis and appears politically motivated to disqualify him from political office.
The MPs assert that Khan’s continued detention poses a serious threat to democracy in Pakistan. They highlight alarming speculation that his case may be decided by a military court, which would signify an illegal escalation of his situation. Amnesty International has reported a troubling pattern of using the legal system to keep Khan detained and away from political engagement, noting that he has been denied adequate time and resources to prepare his defense in at least three trials.
The letter further addresses concerns over the recent 26th Constitutional Amendment, which seeks to diminish the Supreme Court’s powers, undermining the principle of separation of powers enshrined in the Pakistani Constitution.
Additionally, the MPs highlight the crackdown on Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), where recent weeks have seen the arrest of parliamentarians and activists. Despite having permission to hold a rally in Islamabad, PTI supporters were reportedly detained under the new Public Order Act.
The parliamentarians conclude by stressing the dangerous precedent set by these actions and calling for Khan’s immediate release from pre-trial detention. They emphasize the UK’s duty to champion human rights, democracy, and international law, urging Lammy to take meaningful action with the Pakistani government to secure Khan’s safe release.
