Pakistan has strongly criticized a letter written by U.S. lawmakers to President Joe Biden concerning the detention of PTI founder Imran Khan, labeling it as “blatant interference” in the country’s internal matters.
According to a report published in Jang and The News, the Pakistani government has dismissed the letter as inconsequential, particularly during a time when the U.S. administration is focused on its own power transition.
The Foreign Office issued a statement categorically denouncing the move, describing it as an overstep by foreign lawmakers into Pakistan’s sovereignty.
The letter, signed by 46 members of the U.S. Congress, urged President Biden to advocate for the release of Imran Khan and other political prisoners. It also highlighted concerns about human rights violations in Pakistan following what the lawmakers described as “flawed 2024 elections.”
The letter called for Immediate advocacy for the release of Imran Khan and other political detainees, assurance of their safety, citing a UN Working Group report and action based on the U.S. House resolution addressing human rights concerns in Pakistan.
The signatories alleged efforts to exclude PTI from the electoral process and suppression of dissenting voices, further asserting that human rights abuses had escalated after the elections. Pakistan has dismissed the letter as an ineffective exercise and reaffirmed its commitment to managing its internal affairs independently.
