Over 60 US lawmakers urge Biden to push for Imran Khan’s release from jail

Over 60 Democratic lawmakers in the US House of Representatives sent a letter to the Biden administration on Wednesday, urging it to exert its influence to secure the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail.

The lawmakers also called on the Biden administration to press the Pakistani government to ensure the well-being of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, who has been incarcerated since August 2023 and is facing multiple legal cases.

“We write today to urge you to use the United States' substantial leverage with Pakistan's government to secure the release of political prisoners including former Prime Minister Khan and curtail widespread human rights abuses,” the letter stated.

The letter, led by Congressman Greg Casar, was the first collective demand by several US Congress members for relief regarding Khan’s situation, despite his history of criticising US policies and maintaining a fraught relationship with Washington.

The Democratic lawmakers also voiced concerns over alleged discrepancies in Pakistan’s electoral process. 

Washington, along with the United Kingdom, European Union, and United Nations, expressed doubt that the February 2024 polls in Pakistan were "free and fair."

However, the Pakistani government has dismissed claims of "unfair treatment" of Imran Khan during his imprisonment, and the Election Commission of Pakistan has denied allegations of rigging in the general elections.

Earlier, in July 2024, the United Nations human rights working group had called for Khan’s release, declaring his imprisonment a part of a “much larger campaign of repression” against him and PTI.