US Congress Urges Biden to Push for Imran Khan’s Release and Support Democracy in Pakistan

A group of 46 US lawmakers has written to President Joe Biden, asking him to push for the release of Imran Khan and other political leaders from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who are currently in prison in Pakistan.

The letter, reported by Dawn News, says that PTI leaders have been kept in jail to prevent the party from participating in Pakistan’s upcoming elections in February 2024. The lawmakers want the US to help restore democracy in Pakistan.

The letter also mentions concerns about human rights abuses in Pakistan, especially after the last general elections. The Congress members believe the US should reconsider its policy towards Pakistan, following the guidelines of House Resolution 901.

The lawmakers accused the Pakistani government of manipulating elections and blocking PTI’s media campaigns. They also claimed the government used arrests to weaken the party.

“We have seen no action from the US Embassy in Pakistan on these issues,” the letter said.

This is not the first time US lawmakers have spoken out. Last month, more than 60 members of Congress wrote a similar letter calling for the release of Imran Khan and other political prisoners in Pakistan. They urged President Biden to make human rights a priority in US policy on Pakistan.

The letter was supported by well-known Democratic members, including Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Ro Khanna.

Earlier this year, Congressman Greg Meeks and around 30 other members of Congress also expressed concerns about the fairness of Pakistan’s upcoming elections, asking President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to take action.