Twenty cross-party British parliamentarians have appealed to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, requesting action for the release of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan from Adiala Jail. The letter, initiated by Liverpool Riverside MP Kim Johnson at the request of Imran Khan’s adviser Zulfi Bukhari, was signed by MPs and Lords across the Commons and the House of Lords.
The MPs expressed “grave concern” over Khan’s detention, which they described as a politically motivated act aimed at disqualifying him from future elections. Citing the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the letter emphasized that Khan’s imprisonment lacks a solid legal foundation. Amnesty International has also flagged the “weaponization” of Pakistan’s legal system to silence Khan and restrict his political activities.
The letter also highlights the recent passage of Pakistan’s 26th Constitutional Amendment, which could limit the judiciary’s powers, especially concerning cases involving federal and provincial governments. This legislative change, they argue, threatens the separation of powers in Pakistan and restricts judicial independence.
The MPs further expressed concern over the recent crackdown on Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, with members and activists facing arrests. The letter noted that despite receiving permission for rallies, PTI supporters were detained under a newly invoked Public Order Act, pointing to increasing anti-democratic practices in Pakistan.
The parliamentarians have called on Lammy to stand up for democracy and human rights, pressing for Imran Khan’s immediate release from pre-trial detention. They emphasized the importance of international law and democratic values, urging the UK to act to protect these principles.
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