Key Decision by the UN
- UN Ruling: The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared that the detention of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is against international law.
- Immediate Release: The UN group demands that Khan be released immediately and compensated according to international law.
Allegations of Repression
- Larger Campaign: The UN group suggests that Khan’s legal troubles are part of a broader campaign against him and his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
- Election Disruptions: The group noted that ahead of the 2024 elections:
- PTI members were arrested and tortured.
- Their rallies were disrupted.
- There were claims of widespread election fraud, with many parliamentary seats allegedly stolen.
Pakistan’s Response
- No Comment: The Pakistani embassy in Washington did not comment immediately.
- Election Commission’s Stance: Pakistan’s election commission denies any election rigging.
Imran Khan’s Legal Challenges
- Current Status: Khan has been in jail since August and was convicted in various cases before a national election scheduled for February.
- Political Motivation: Khan and his party claim that these charges are politically motivated to prevent his return to power.
- Suspended Sentences: Recently, Pakistani courts:
- Suspended his jail sentences in cases involving the illegal acquisition and sale of state gifts.
- Overturned his conviction for leaking state secrets.
- Continued Imprisonment: Despite these suspensions, Khan remains in prison due to:
- A conviction over his 2018 marriage was ruled unlawful.
- Ongoing trials under anti-terrorism charges related to violence in May last year.
Background on Imran Khan
- Rise and Fall: Khan became Prime Minister in 2018 but was removed from office in 2022 after disputes with Pakistan’s military.
- Allegations of Conspiracy: He claims that his removal was orchestrated by the US and the Pakistani military through a no-confidence vote in Parliament. Both deny these accusations.
- Legal Cases: After his removal, multiple legal cases were filed against Khan, leading to his disqualification from running in the upcoming election.
Election Outcomes
- PTI’s Success: Despite Khan’s disqualification, candidates supported by him won the most seats in the recent elections.
- Coalition Government: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) formed a coalition government.
International Concerns
- Global Reaction: The US, Britain, and the European Union expressed concerns about:
- Election irregularities.
- Urged investigations into these issues.
- UN Concerns: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed worry about:
- Election-related violence.
- Suspension of mobile communications during the elections.
References
- Reuters: UN Group Calls for Imran Khan’s Release
- Al Jazeera: UN Urges Release of Imran Khan
- BBC: Imran Khan’s Detention and UN’s Response
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