UN Chief
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed a desire to see a more positive evolution in the current situation of PTI founder Imran Khan, according to his spokesperson.
Imran Khan is currently serving his sentence in the Iddat case at Adiala Jail. While his sentences in two Toshakhana cases have been suspended, the Islamabad High Court acquitted him in the cipher case.
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention recently scrutinized Imran Khan’s cases, labeling them as “without legal basis” and politically motivated to sideline him from politics.
The panel recommended his immediate release and compensation, marking the second international disapproval of the government’s actions against PTI and its incarcerated founder within a week, following a US resolution urging Pakistan to investigate election irregularities.
In response, the government and its allies rejected the UN working group’s recommendations, dismissing them as a conspiracy against national institutions.
When asked in a press conference about the UN chief’s stance on releasing Imran Khan immediately, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric emphasized the recommendation’s independence, stating, “We want to see the current political situation, the current situation of Mr. Khan, evolve in a much more positive way.”
On Tuesday, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar reaffirmed the government’s stance, calling Imran Khan’s detention an “internal matter” and rejecting the non-binding nature of the working group’s recommendations.
He asserted that legal actions against Imran Khan were conducted in accordance with the Constitution and existing laws, affirming the former premier’s entitlement to all rights under national and international principles despite his current status as a convicted prisoner.
The situation surrounding Imran Khan’s detention continues to provoke debate and international scrutiny, highlighting broader concerns about political rights and legal procedures in Pakistan.
As discussions persist, both domestic and international stakeholders monitor developments closely, awaiting potential shifts in Imran Khan’s legal and political circumstances.
The stance of the UN Secretary-General underscores global interest in the case, urging for a resolution that aligns with principles of justice and human rights.
