UK Parliamentarians Call on Foreign Secretary for Imran Khan’s Release Amid Concerns Over Democratic Process in Pakistan

In an unprecedented appeal, over 20 cross-party UK parliamentarians have called upon Foreign Secretary David Lammy to initiate talks with Pakistan’s government regarding the release of former Prime Minister and PTI chairman Imran Khan. Led by Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside, the letter represents a unified concern across the UK’s House of Commons and House of Lords, urging action over Khan’s continued detention.

This letter was catalyzed by Zulfi Bukhari, advisor to Imran Khan on international affairs, who brought these concerns to light, seeking international support to highlight perceived political interference in Pakistan’s justice system. Signatories include notable MPs like Paula Barker, Liam Byrne, Rosie Duffield, Gill Furniss, Andy McDonald, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, along with Lords Peter Hain, John Hendy, and several other respected parliamentarians.

Concerns About Khan’s Detention and Political Rights

The UK parliamentarians emphasized in their letter that Khan’s detention appears to lack a solid legal basis and instead seems intended to disqualify him from future political office. The letter cited findings by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which also questioned the legitimacy of Khan’s detention, suggesting it was politically motivated to prevent him from participating in elections.

The letter points out that Khan, who has been in custody since 2023, has reportedly faced numerous challenges, including inadequate time and resources to prepare his defense in multiple cases. The UK parliamentarians stated that such restrictions may signify broader misuse of Pakistan’s legal system to harass and intimidate opposition figures while potentially infringing on judicial independence.

International Alarm Over Military Court Speculations

A particularly concerning aspect raised by the parliamentarians is the possibility of Khan’s trial being conducted in a military court, which they argue would be a serious and illegal escalation. They warned that such a move could undermine democratic rights and judicial processes in Pakistan.

This concern was echoed by Amnesty International, which recently published a review highlighting “a pattern of weaponisation of the legal system to keep Imran Khan under detention and away from all political activity.” Such findings align with the growing international worry over the use of Pakistan’s justice system to target political opposition.

Recent Constitutional Amendment and PTI Crackdown

The letter also criticized Pakistan’s 26th Constitutional Amendment, noting that it could potentially undermine the separation of powers guaranteed by Pakistan’s Constitution. The parliamentarians further expressed concerns over recent clampdowns on Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which has seen numerous arrests of PTI leaders and supporters. According to reports, despite having received prior permission to conduct a peaceful rally in Islamabad, PTI supporters were detained under a newly enacted Public Order Act. This incident adds to the international alarm over Pakistan’s treatment of political opposition.

A Call for Immediate Action

The letter ends with a strong appeal to Foreign Secretary David Lammy, urging him to engage with Pakistan’s government to advocate for Khan’s immediate release from detention. The parliamentarians assert that the international community must stand for democracy and judicial fairness in Pakistan, emphasizing that Khan’s right to political participation must be preserved.

This joint appeal from UK lawmakers underscores the growing international pressure on Pakistan to respect political freedoms and maintain a fair judicial process, free from political manipulation.