LONDON:A coalition of influential British parliamentarians has come forward to urge the release of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan from Adiala Jail, adding significant international support to the opposition’s stance.
Twenty British MPs from multiple parties have appealed to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, calling for his intervention with the Pakistani government to secure Khan’s release. This letter, spearheaded by Liverpool MP Kim Johnson and requested by Imran Khan’s International Affairs adviser Zulfi Bukhari, includes signatures from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Signatories include MPs Kim Johnson, Paula Barker, Apsana Begum, Liam Byrne, Rosie Duffield, Gill Furniss, Paulette Hamilton, Peter Lamb, Andy McDonald, Abtisam Mohamed, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Zarah Sultana, Steve Witherden, Nadia Whittome, and Lords such as Baroness Joan Bakewell, Baroness Christine Blower, Lord Peter Hain, Lord John Hendy, and Lord Todoanfel.
The parliamentarians express grave concern over Khan’s continued detention, citing a 2023 UN Working Group finding that deemed his imprisonment legally baseless and potentially politically motivated. The letter argues that Khan’s detention is part of a strategy to sideline him from politics.
Addressed to Lammy, the letter states, “Mr. Khan’s prolonged detention threatens Pakistan’s democratic framework,” further warning of the risk of a military court trial, an illegal escalation according to international standards. Amnesty International’s recent findings indicate a pattern of legal manipulation designed to prevent Khan’s political engagement.
The parliamentarians also note that Khan was repeatedly denied adequate resources and preparation time in at least three trials, underscoring what they describe as a wider trend of judicial intimidation against opposition figures in Pakistan. They also condemn the recent 26th Constitutional Amendment, which they argue weakens the Supreme Court’s powers, undermining judicial independence and the separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution.