Islamabad-(Staff Reporter)-In a bold move, 160 Pakistani lawmakers have signed a letter to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, rejecting the appeal by 62 US Congress members to release Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan. The letter firmly opposes foreign intervention and highlights Khan’s alleged role in inciting violence and disruptions.
The letter expresses firm opposition to foreign intervention and highlights the PTI founder’s alleged role in political violence and disruptions.
The lawmakers accused the PTI founder of inciting violence and criminal threats against state institutions, citing the widespread unrest on May 9, 2023, which included attacks on Parliament, the state television building, and other key sites. The letter also references the PTI leader’s role in paralyzing the country with “anarchic politics” during protests in August 2014 and May 2022.
Expressing disapproval of the US Congress members’ request, Pakistani lawmakers underscored the importance of respecting Pakistan’s sovereignty and judicial processes.
The letter emphasizes the importance of respecting Pakistan’s sovereignty and judicial processes, making it clear that the country will not be swayed by external pressure. This move demonstrates the Pakistani government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting its institutions from external influence.
This isn’t the first time legislators in Islamabad and Washington have come face to face as previously US lawmakers, in June, had passed “House Resolution 901” by a massive majority — with 368 members in the House of Representatives voting in its favour — which called for urging an impartial probe into the claims of irregularities during the February 8 general elections in the country.
The resolution was swiftly responded to by Pakistani lawmakers who passed a motion condemning the US resolution terming it “contrary to facts” and “interference” in its internal affairs.
Following the recent letter by Washingtons’ legislators — labelled “contrary to inter-state conduct and diplomatic norms” by Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch — US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller on Wednesday said that Khan’s imprisonment was to be decided by Pakistani courts.
The Pakistani lawmakers’ response laments US Congressmen’s letter for being “influenced by blatant disinformation peddled by adherents of same political party” and goes on to examine “political motives behind the campaign to discredit credible political process in Pakistan and undermine its democratic institutions”.
Noting that the country grapples with the challenges of the post-truth era which have been further complicated by politics of cult-followership and polarisation, the legislators said: “Gross misuse of social media as a tool for Digital Terrorism remains a proclivity to rouse unrest and threaten the state, while the lead role in this negative campaign is being unfortunately undertaken by dissident elements residing in the US and the United Kingdom.”
Blaming the PTI founder for introducing political violence and criminal intimidation against state institutions, the letter alleges that the incarcerated ex-PM had been “inciting assaults on Islamabad and Lahore to cause anarchy and violence”.
Stressing that the US lawmakers’ conduct and views regarding the February 8 polls were “equally misinformed in one-sided,” the communique to PM Shehbaz maintained that the Khan-founded party was consistently making efforts to malign the electoral process.
“Commentary on sub-judice cases by members of Congress is likely to unfairly influence the judicial process in Pakistan,” it warned.
Highlighting that dragging other countries into the domestic electoral fray to satisfy a small segment of the electorate is ill-advised, the parliamentarians — in an apparent reference to the cipher case saga — said that a similar misuse of diplomatic communication for political advantage by the same caused one of the most serious crises in current history of Pakistan-US relations.
“It is ironic that respected members of US Congress tend to ignore the testimony of Assistant Secretary of State, Donald Lu in which he blamed for orchestrating a campaign based on ‘complete falsehood’,” reads the letter while referring to Khan’s claim of blaming his ouster as PM on a conspiracy orchestrated by Washington.
“We wish to respect the political process in the US and express our commitment to work with the new administration formed as a result of coming elections. Concurrently, we rightfully expect the same to be acknowledged and respected by US lawmakers as well,” it added.
Additionally, the lawmakers urged the government to to direct the diplomatic mission in Washington to engage the members of the Pakistani caucus in US Congress as well as signatories of this letter to highlight the correct perspective on the issue and caution them from falling prey to unsubstantiated political propaganda against Islamabad.
Key Points:
– Rejection of Foreign Intervention: 160 Pakistani lawmakers reject US Congress members’ appeal to release Imran Khan.
– Allegations Against Khan: Lawmakers accuse Khan of inciting violence, criminal threats against state institutions, and “anarchic politics.”
– Sovereignty and Judicial Processes: Pakistan emphasizes the importance of respecting its sovereignty and judicial processes.
– Recent Unrest: May 9, 2023, unrest saw attacks on key sites, including Parliament and state television building.
– Past Protests: Khan’s protests in August 2014 and May 2022 paralyzed the country.
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