Release Khan from Jail
Over 60 members of Congress sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Wednesday, calling for his involvement “to ensure the release of political prisoners” in Pakistan, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
We are deeply concerned about the ongoing human rights violations in Pakistan following the February 2024 National Assembly elections. Specifically, the elections were marred by widespread irregularities, including, for instance, massive electoral fraud, as well as state-led efforts to disenfranchise voters supporting the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Moreover, there has been the imprisonment of many political leaders, journalists, and activists. In particular, former Prime Minister Imran Khan remains jailed; therefore, we call for his immediate release, along with other political prisoners.
In July, the U.S. House of Representatives responded by passing H.Res. 901 with overwhelming support (368-7). This resolution urged the U.S. to back democracy and human rights in Pakistan. We urge your administration to use the United States’ considerable influence to push for the release of political prisoners, including Imran Khan, and to stop the ongoing human rights abuses.
U.S. Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Pakistan
We appreciate Assistant Secretary Donald Lu’s candid statements earlier this year, during a U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing. He rightly noted that Pakistan’s February election was neither free nor fair, citing failures to register candidates, mass arrests of opposition figures, internet shutdowns, and widespread media censorship. While Secretary Lu expressed hope in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to address these issues, the reality is that the authorities have taken no meaningful action. The ECP and judiciary, pressured by the military, lack the independence to rectify these wrongs.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has highlighted these issues, noting that the judiciary and ECP face “constant pressure from extra-democratic quarters.” This pressure was starkly evident in April when six top judges spoke out about intimidation and interference by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), including reports of torture to secure desired rulings in politically significant cases.
Unlawful Detention of Imran Khan
Amnesty International and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention have voiced their concerns over the unlawful imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The UN recently ruled that Khan’s detention has no legal basis and seems designed to disqualify him from future political office. Despite his immense popularity, Khan has been in custody since May 2023, facing nearly 200 lawsuits, and reports suggest he is being mistreated.
The UN Working Group found Khan’s arrest to be part of a larger crackdown on the PTI, Pakistan’s most popular political party. While the government claims to have arrested 9,000 PTI supporters, many believe the numbers are much higher. Many of these detainees remain in prison, held without cause. We stand with Assistant Secretary Lu in his call for accountability regarding the mass detentions, and we strongly oppose the use of military courts for civilians, which is inconsistent with international standards.
Urgent Action Needed
We urge your administration to secure guarantees from the Pakistani government for Imran Khan’s safety and well-being and to have U.S. embassy officials visit him in prison. The suppression of political opposition and the crackdown on social media have led to increased repression in Pakistan, further isolating the country on the global stage. These actions not only violate fundamental human rights but also severely damage Pakistan’s growing IT industry, with losses estimated to reach $300 million due to repressive policies.
Recent laws granting intelligence agencies the power to trace and intercept phone calls are a further blow to individual freedoms. The government’s increasing reliance on transnational repression, including the alleged torture of family members of activists abroad, paints a grim picture of Pakistan’s trajectory. Experts now describe the system as “military rule with a civilian facade.”
Key Questions for U.S. Policy Towards Pakistan
Given these concerns, we respectfully request answers to the following questions to better inform U.S. congressional oversight of policy toward Pakistan:
– How has U.S. policy toward Pakistan changed in response to these undemocratic actions and human rights abuses? What specific steps has your administration taken?
– Are there specific indicators or factors guiding U.S. diplomatic and economic engagement with Pakistan? How does the U.S. monitor changes in the country’s political situation?
– What leverage has the U.S. used to secure the freedom of political prisoners like Imran Khan? What additional actions are being considered?
– Why has there been a delay in announcing visa bans or asset freezes for Pakistani elites involved in human rights violations? When can we expect these decisions?
– Does the U.S. maintain relationships with Pakistani military and intelligence officials accused of violating democratic principles, such as Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir? How does the U.S. ensure that future cooperation is conditioned on improvements in human rights practices?
We thank you for your attention to these urgent matters. Along with our Pakistani-American constituents and global community leaders, we stand in solidarity with the people of Pakistan in their struggle to restore true democratic governance.
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