The US administration has acknowledged the receipt of a letter from members of Congress regarding Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Founder Imran Khan.
Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the US State Department, confirmed that President Joe Biden had received the letter and assured it would be responded to “in due course.”
Miller reiterated the US's stance that participation in democratic processes is a fundamental right for all citizens. "We want to see democracy flourish in Pakistan," he stated.
When questioned about recent meetings held by US Deputy Assistant Secretary Monica Jacobsen in Islamabad, Miller said she reportedly highlighted the importance of prioritising human rights in Pakistan. Discussions during Jacobsen's meetings also covered the role civil society plays in sustaining democratic institutions.
Over the last week, Over 60 Democratic lawmakers from the US House of Representatives wrote, opens new tab to President Joe Biden, urging him to use Washington's leverage with Pakistan to secure the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan.
"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 lawmakers wrote in a letter.
US Representative Greg Casar, who led the letter, said it marked the first such collective call from multiple members of the US Congress for the release of Khan, who otherwise has had testy relations with Washington as a long-standing critic of US foreign policy.
Khan has been in jail since August 2023 and has faced dozens of cases since he was removed as prime minister in 2022 after which he launched a protest movement against a coalition of his rivals led by current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Khan says cases against him, which disqualified him from contesting the February elections, are politically motivated.
He had a fallout with the powerful military and blamed his ousting on them. The military denies political interference.
The Democratic lawmakers also raised concerns about reported irregularities in Pakistan's elections. Islamabad denies being unfair in Khan's treatment and its election commission denies the elections were rigged.
Washington says the February vote could not be characterized as free and fair. Britain, the European Union and the United Nations also raised concerns.
Khan did not run, but candidates he backed secured the highest number of seats. Still, his rivals formed a coalition government.
A UN human rights working group said in July Khan's detention violated international law.
