46 US lawmakers urge President Biden to intervene for Imran Khan’s immediate release

A group of 46 US lawmakers has called on President Joe Biden to take immediate action for the release of former prime minister Imran Khan and other political prisoners in Pakistan.

The lawmakers, from both the Republican and Democratic parties, also urged Biden to ensure the safety of those detained, in line with the findings of a UN Working Group report.

In a letter addressed to President Biden, the lawmakers highlighted the provisions of "H. Res. 901," a resolution passed by the US House of Representatives in June 2024, which calls for the release of political prisoners in Pakistan and the restoration of democratic rights.

The letter urged the president to act on the resolution, which was passed by an overwhelming majority in the House.

The letter was spearheaded by Representatives Susan Wild (D-PA) and John James (R-MI), and it specifically criticized the role of US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome.

The lawmakers accused Blome of failing to adequately address the concerns of the Pakistani American community, particularly in advocating for the release of political prisoners and respecting human rights and democratic principles in Pakistan.

The call for action comes amid ongoing concerns over the detention of Imran Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, and other political figures in Pakistan.

PTI officials shared the letter on social media, noting the bipartisan support for Khan’s release and the broader concerns about political freedom and human rights in the country.

Last month, as many as 60 members of the US House of Representatives had written a letter to the president for Khan's release.