LONDON: UK Members of Parliament on Tuesday demanded immediate release of former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan who is currently detained in Adiala jail along with his wife Bushra Bibi in a fresh case of Toshakhana.
The demand for Khan’s release was made at a hearing today in the House of Lord’s Committee Room jointly convened by Labour MP for Bradford West Naz Shah, and Conservative Peer Lord Hannan of Kingsclere.
The meeting was attended more than 22 parliamentarians of major parties, such as Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP, Priti Patel MP, and Baroness Neville-Jones, reflecting bipartisan concern. Key figures present included Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, recently appointed as Imran Khan’s International Affairs Adviser, Meher Bano Qureshi, a PTI candidate in Pakistan’s 2024 general election, and Sarwar Bari, founder of Pattan Development.
During the session, Bukhari alleged significant irregularities in Pakistan’s February elections and expressed fears that Khan might face a trial in military courts. He emphasized the need for global awareness regarding Pakistan’s alleged violations against democracy and human rights over the past two years.
Meher Bano Qureshi shared her experiences and criticized what she perceived as a muted response from Western democracies, urging stronger support for democratic freedoms in Pakistan. She highlighted challenges faced by PTI candidates in the recent elections and suggested that her father, former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, was targeted for his association with Khan.
Lord Hannan underscored the group’s commitment to promoting democracy in Pakistan, urging the implementation of UN recommendations for Khan’s release and the scheduling of inclusive elections. Naz Shah reaffirmed her dedication to advocating for media freedoms and human rights, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and progress for Pakistan’s democratic future.
The gathering concluded with a resolve to petition UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer MP and Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP to address Imran Khan’s situation and support democratic reforms in Pakistan, underscoring a united effort across parliamentary lines and international cooperation on this critical issue.
