Calling imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan a victim of “judicial abuse,” US Congressmen Joe Wilson and August Pfluger have urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to engage with Pakistan for his release.
Khan, 71, has been in jail since August 2023, facing multiple charges, including corruption and terrorism, following his removal from office via a no-confidence vote in April 2022.
US Lawmakers Push for Khan’s Freedom
Congressman Wilson has repeatedly voiced support for Khan, previously appealing to President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir to secure his release. In their latest letter to Rubio, Wilson and Pfluger emphasized Khan’s significance in US-Pakistan relations, stating:
“You recall that Imran Khan was prime minister during your first term, and you both shared a strong relationship. He is widely beloved in Pakistan, and his release would usher in a new era of US-Pakistan relations with freedom values at its core.”
Comparing Khan’s legal battles to those of former US President Donald Trump, they stressed the need to work with Pakistan to restore democracy and uphold fundamental rights, including due process, press freedom, and freedom of speech and assembly.
International Calls for Fair Trial and Release
In an earlier letter to Pakistan’s leadership, Wilson asserted that freeing Khan would strengthen US-Pakistan ties. On February 7, he publicly shared his appeal on X, adding, “I will also be engaging the Trump administration on this issue. US-Pakistan relations are strongest when Pakistan is democratic. Free Imran Khan.”
Beyond the US, over a dozen British lawmakers last month also demanded Khan’s immediate release and a fair trial for all political prisoners, including those charged in connection with the May 9 and November 26 incidents.
At an event at Portcullis House, the newly formed Friends of Democratic Pakistan-UK (FODP), led by Safina Faisal, highlighted concerns over enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, military trials of civilians, and suppression of political dissent.
British MPs in attendance included Andrew Pakes, Naz Shah, Jeremy Corbyn, Paul Waugh, James Asser, Kate Deardon, Jas Athwal, Gurinder Josan, Margaret Mullaine, Warinder Juss, Adnan Hussain, Preet Kaur, Ayoub Khan, and Iqbal Mohamed.
