Washington, November 18, 2024 — A group of 50 US lawmakers has written to President Joe Biden, urging him to press Pakistan’s government to release former Prime Minister Imran Khan and other political prisoners. The bipartisan letter, signed by 46 Democrats and Republicans, highlights concerns over human rights violations and the erosion of civil liberties in Pakistan following its February 2024 elections.

Key Concerns Raised in the Letter

The letter, spearheaded by Democratic Congresswoman Susan Wild and Republican Congressman John James, criticizes Pakistan’s handling of the elections, alleging widespread irregularities, electoral fraud, and suppression of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). It cites increasing curbs on civil liberties, mass arrests, arbitrary detentions, and restrictions on internet access, describing the situation as “deteriorating.”

The lawmakers called on Biden to advocate for the release of Imran Khan, whom they described as “Pakistan’s most popular political figure,” along with jailed PTI leaders Yasmin Rashid and Shah Mehmood Qureshi. The letter referenced reports from Amnesty International and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which have condemned Khan’s incarceration.

Criticism of the US Embassy in Pakistan

The lawmakers also criticized the US Embassy in Islamabad for welcoming Pakistan’s new administration despite widespread concerns over the legitimacy of the election results. They urged the Biden administration to ensure that the incoming US ambassador prioritizes human rights and democratic values.

The letter emphasized the US’s “moral and strategic obligations” to support democratic principles in Pakistan, asserting that such efforts would strengthen bilateral ties and shared interests.

Reaction in Pakistan

The letter has drawn sharp criticism from Pakistan’s ruling coalition.

• PML-N’s Response:
  Information Minister Attaullah Tarar accused the PTI of inviting foreign interference to destabilize Pakistan. Rana Mashhood, a PML-N leader, condemned the PTI for “prioritizing political interests over national welfare” and questioned why similar concerns were not raised about Kashmir.

• PPP’s Response:
  Senator Sherry Rehman of the PPP described the letter as an attack on Pakistan’s sovereignty and accused the PTI of hypocrisy. She criticized the party for lobbying against Pakistan while previously condemning US interference in Khan’s ouster in 2022. Rehman contrasted PTI’s actions with former President Asif Ali Zardari’s approach, noting that the PPP never sought foreign intervention during Zardari’s imprisonment.

Broader Implications

The bipartisan letter is the second communication from US lawmakers within a month addressing Pakistan’s human rights situation. It follows the June 2024 bipartisan resolution “H. Res. 901,” which criticized Pakistan’s electoral process and supported democratic reforms.

Pakistan’s ruling coalition views the letter as unwarranted interference in its domestic affairs, while the PTI frames it as an international acknowledgment of its grievances.

As the Biden administration navigates this diplomatic challenge, the debate underscores the tension between advocating for human rights and respecting national sovereignty. With Biden’s term ending in January 2025, the window for meaningful US intervention in this matter is narrowing.