WASHINGTON: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s detention is arbitrary and in violation of international law, a UN human rights working group said in an opinion issued on Monday, adding that the jailed politician should be “released immediately”.
The Geneva-based UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention said that the “appropriate remedy would be to release Mr Khan immediately and accord him an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations, in accordance with international law”.
The UN working group said that the legal woes for the former prime minister were part of a “much larger campaign of repression” against him and his party.
It pointed out the arrests of various PTI leaders and the alleged custodial torture inflicted upon them as well as restriction on holding election rallies in the lead up to February 8 general polls.
Moreover, it also alleged the “widespread fraud on election day, stealing dozens of parliamentary seats”.
The Pakistani embassy in Washington had no immediate comment. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) denies that the elections were rigged.
Imran has been facing a slew of charges ranging from corruption to terrorism since his removal as the premier.
The PTI founder has been in jail since last August and was convicted in some cases ahead of a nationwide election earlier this year. He is also fighting dozens of other cases which are continuing.
The US, Britain and the European Union have expressed concern about the reported irregularities in the elections and urged a probe while United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern about violence and the suspension of mobile communications services during the elections.
