Pakistani Lawmakers Respond to U.S. Congress Letter on Imran Khan’s Release

Islamabad: In a formal response to a letter from 62 members of the U.S. Congress advocating for the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, 160 Pakistani parliamentarians have expressed their concerns regarding foreign interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs.
The letter, addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, emphasizes that the U.S. Congress members’ correspondence represents an intrusion into Pakistan’s domestic matters. Prominent signatories, including Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Naveed Qamar, Mustafa Kamal, Asiya Naz Tanoli, and Khalid Magsi, articulated their views over 16 pages.
The lawmakers highlighted the current democratic challenges faced by Pakistan, exacerbated by political extremism. They accused Imran Khan of introducing political violence and criminal threats against state institutions, citing the widespread unrest and vandalism that erupted on May 9, 2023, when Khan allegedly incited crowds to attack the Parliament, the state television headquarters, and Radio Pakistan.
The parliamentarians noted that Khan has previously engaged in disruptive politics during crises in August 2014 and May 2022, claiming he has continued to promote chaos and violence from prison. They accused him of utilizing social media as a tool for “digital terrorism,” aimed at inciting unrest and threatening the state.
Furthermore, the letter pointed out the involvement of dissidents based in the U.S. and the U.K. in Khan’s negative campaign, suggesting that these foreign entities are forcing their governments into extraordinary actions against their own citizens.