U.S. Lawmakers Urge President Biden to Advocate for Imran Khan's Release

Over 60 Democratic lawmakers are urging President Joe Biden to use U.S. influence to secure the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Pakistan. Khan has been jailed since August 2023, amid numerous politically charged cases. Concerns about Pakistan's human rights and election integrity have also been raised.

Over 60 Democratic lawmakers from the U.S. House of Representatives have called upon President Joe Biden to leverage Washington's influence with Pakistan, aiming to secure the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who remains behind bars.

In an unprecedented appeal, U.S. Representative Greg Casar led this initiative, marking the first coordinated effort urging the United States to advocate for the release of Khan and address alleged human rights violations in Pakistan. The letter reflects a shift as Khan, a vocal critic of U.S. policy, navigates strained relations with Washington.

Khan, detained since August 2023, alleges that the charges leading to his disqualification from the February elections are politically motivated. His arrest follows a series of events after his ousting in 2022, which he partially attributes to Pakistan's military, though they deny involvement. The lawmakers express worries about the fairness of Pakistan's elections, echoed by the U.S., Britain, EU, and the UN.

(With inputs from agencies.)