London: A group of 20 British MPs, cutting across party lines, have urged UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to advocate with the 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.”
The letter, initiated by MP Kim Johnson 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.
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.
