Sixty-two members of the U.S. House of Representatives have sent a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to push for the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who remains detained in Pakistan.
The letter calls for efforts to free all political prisoners in Pakistan, including Khan, and to end the ongoing detention of PTI workers.
The letter stresses the importance of human rights being central to U.S. policy regarding Pakistan. It urges the Biden administration to seek assurances from the Pakistani government to protect Imran Khan and ensure his well-being. Additionally, the Congress members have appealed for U.S. embassy officials to visit the PTI leader in jail to monitor his condition.
The lawmakers expressed concern over what they describe as a "crackdown on social media" and intensified efforts to suppress political activities in Pakistan.
The letter also highlights allegations of electoral rigging and irregularities in Pakistan’s recent general elections, accusing authorities of attempting to disenfranchise voters. The Congress members emphasized that the U.S. should stand in support of democracy and human rights in Pakistan.
