UN chief says wants Pakistan political situation to evolve in ‘more positive way’
NEW YORK (INP): A spokesperson for UN Secretary General António Guterres has said the chief wanted the political situation in Pakistan to evolve in a “much more positive way” when asked to comment on a UN human rights group declaring former Pakistani premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s detention arbitrary and in violation of international law.
The Geneva-based UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has called for Imran Khan’s immediate release, saying his legal woes were part of a “much larger campaign of repression” against him and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. It said that in the lead up to the 2024 general elections, members of Khan’s party were arrested and tortured, and their rallies were disrupted. It also alleged “widespread fraud on election day, stealing dozens of parliamentary seats.”
The PTI founder has been in jail since August last year and was convicted in a number of cases ahead of the February 8 elections while other hearings continue. Khan and his party say the charges were politically motivated to thwart his return to power.
During a daily press briefing, Guterres spokesperson was asked if he supported the UN group’s recommendations.
“It’s a recommendation from an independent panel,” Stéphane Dujarric said. “We want to see the current political situation, the current situation of Mr.Khan, evolve in a much more positive way.”
The Pakistan government has said that Imran Khan’s legal challenges were an “internal matter” and it was for Pakistani courts to enforce the country’s laws.
Khan’s jail sentences in two cases about the illegal acquisition and sale of state gifts have been suspended recently and his conviction on charges of leaking state secrets overturned. However, the PTI founder has remained in prison due to a conviction in another case in which a trial court ruled that his 2018 marriage was unlawful. He also faces a trial under anti-terrorism charges in connection with violence in May last year.
