Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, expressed a hopeful stance regarding the situation of imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan, emphasizing a desire for constructive change. During a daily press briefing, Dujarric responded to queries, underscoring the United Nations’ aspiration to witness a more positive evolution in the current political climate and Mr. Khan’s situation.
Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been incarcerated since last August and faced convictions preceding a national election in February. Allegations made by Khan’s party assert that the charges were politically motivated and designed to deter his resurgence to power.
In response to a question posed during the press briefing regarding the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s (WGAD) unanimous recommendation to release Imran Khan without conditions, the UNWGAD’s opinion, released on Monday, branded Imran Khan’s detention as arbitrary and in violation of international law. The group urged for Khan’s immediate release and proposed granting him an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations in accordance with international law.
The opinion further contended that Khan’s legal travails were part of a broader campaign of repression against him and his party, PTI. It alleged arrests and torture of Khan’s party members, disruption of their rallies, and widespread fraud during election day, claiming the theft of numerous parliamentary seats.
In contrast, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar rebuffed the UN report, asserting that Khan’s arrest and the cases against him are internal matters of Pakistan. Tarar maintained that Khan, as a convicted prisoner, is subject to the country’s constitution, laws, and international standards, emphasizing the enforcement of these by the courts in Pakistan.
