Over 60 US lawmakers urge President Biden to press for Imran Khan's release, safety

• US lawmakers urge Biden for political prisoners' release in Pakistan.
• Biden urged to prioritise human rights in US policy towards Pakistan.
• Lawmakers express concerns over alleged irregularities in Feb polls. 
  

More than 60 members of the United States House of Representatives have written a letter to President Joe Biden, calling on him to use Washington's leverage with Islamabad for the release of the incarcerated founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan.

The PTI founder has been behind bars since August last year after his conviction in the Toshakhana criminal case and subsequent sentencing in other cases ahead of the February 8 elections — allegations he denies.

In their letter, the Democratic lawmakers urged President Biden to prioritise human rights in US policy towards 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," the lawmakers said.

The letter also made an appeal for US embassy officials to visit Imran, who is currently behind bars at Adiala Jail.

The letter marked the first such collective call from multiple members of the US Congress for the release of Imran, who otherwise has had testy relations with Washington as a long standing critic of US foreign policy, according to US Representative Greg Casar, who led the letter.

Casar noted that following Imran's ouster from the prime minister's office through a no-confidence vote in 2022, multiple cases were filed against him and he has been in prison since August 2023.

The letter also stressed on the US administration to seek assurance from the government of Pakistan about Imran's safety and well-being in custody.

The Democratic lawmakers also raised concerns about reported irregularities in Pakistan's elections held earlier this year.

However, the government denied being unfair in treatment of the former premier and its election commission also denied that the elections were rigged.

Washington said the February vote could not be characterised as free and fair. Britain, the European Union and the United Nations also raised concerns.

Imran was disqualified by the election watchdog after he was convicted in the Toshakhana case. Hence, he did not contest the general elections. However, the candidates he backed secured the highest number of seats. Still, his rivals — the PML-N and PPP — formed a coalition government.

— Additional inputs by Reuters