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Journalism of Courage
A group of 20 British MPs across party lines have urged UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to advocate with Pakistan government for the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan from Adiala jail alleging that his prosecution seems politically motivated, Geo News TV reported.
The MPs, from both the Commons and the Lords, in a letter raised concern over Khan’s continued detention and added that he was imprisoned in a manner deemed legally baseless by the United Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.
The letter read, “Mr Khan’s ongoing detention poses a serious threat to democracy in Pakistan. There are fears that his fate might be determined by a military court, which would represent a troubling and unlawful escalation. Amnesty International has identified a pattern of using the legal system to keep Imran Khan in detention and away from political engagement.”
Further, the letter said Khan was not given sufficient time or resources to prepare his defense and raised concern that the numerous cases against Khan point out a misuse of the justice system in Pakistan to intimidate and target political opponents, undermining judiciary’s independence. The parliamentarians also noted about the actions taken against Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as well as arrest of MPs and activists.
Pakistan News Today report said that the letter, initiated by Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside was signed by the MPs. It was sent at the request of imran Khan’s adviser on International Affairs, Zulfi Bukhari
The MPs who signed the letter included Kim Johnson MP, Paula Barker MP, Apsana Begum MP, Liam Byrne MP, Rosie Duffield MP, Gill Furniss MP, Paulette Hamilton MP, Peter Lamb MP, Andy McDonald MP, Abtisam Mohamed MP, Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, Zarah Sultana MP, Steve Witherden MP, Nadia Whittome MP, Baroness Joan Bakewell, Baroness Christine Blower, Lord Peter Hain, Lord John Hendy, and Lord Todoanfel.
Khan was arrested on August 5 last year after his conviction in the first Toshakhana corruption case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan. Since then, he has been in jail in different cases.
