‘Pakistan should release Imran Khan to restore democracy’: US lawmaker says in viral speech

Hours after writing a letter to Pakistani civilian and military leadership for the release of jailed former prime minister (PM) Imran Khan, United States (US) House of Representatives member Joe Wilson has reiterated his demand on the floor of the House.

Addressing the House, the congressman said that Pakistan’s democracy has been undermined since after the “illegal” sentencing of the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

“[I have] strong disagreements with Imran Khan, including his policies towards war criminal Vladimir Putin and the Chinese Communist Party. However, political opponents should be defeated in democratic elections, not jailed on fabricated charges,” he said.

The representative for South Carolina also went on to draw parallels between US President Donald Trump and Khan’s persecution. “President Donald Trump survived a corrupt judicial system… he [Donald Trump] knows the dangers of persecution. Pakistan should release Imran Khan to restore democracy. Free Imran Khan,” he added.

Acknowledging Pak-US bilateral relations over 70 years, Wilson further said the relationship between the two countries was strongest when the latter embraced democratic principles and rule of law.

He also went on to share a video of his speech on X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, “My speech in Congress today. Free Imran Khan.”

The viral video of his address comes hours after Wilson wrote a letter to President Asif Ali Zardari, PM Shehbaz Sharif and army chief General Asim Munir, urging them to the release the jailed ex-premier.

In a post on X, Wilson shared the letter with the caption, “Grateful to send this letter today to the political and military leaders of Pakistan to Free Imran Khan. I will also be engaging the Trump administration on this issue. US-Pakistan relations are strongest when Pakistan is democratic. Free Imran Khan.”

“I have many disagreements with Mr Khan, particularly his stance in support of the Chinese Communist Party and War Criminal Putin. However, democracy cannot work if political opponents are unjustly detained on politicised charges rather than defeated in the ballot box,” he wrote.

“I urge Pakistan to uphold democratic institutions, human rights, and the rule of law, and respect the fundamental guarantees of due process, freedom of press, freedom of assembly and freedom of speech of the people of Pakistan.”

Wilson stressed in the letter that Khan’s release would be a major step towards strengthening Pak-US relations.

Pakistan is yet to officially respond to the letter as well as the House address.