Pakistani courts will decide Imran Khan's fate, clarifies US

A Spokesperson for the United States (US) State Department clarified on Tuesday that courts in Pakistan have to decide legal cases against the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan.

The US State Department emphasised that decisions on Imran Khan’s cases must be taken as per Pakistani law and constitution. 

Geo News asked the US State Department about the statements often made by former special representatives to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad, and members of the US Congress, about the release of imprisoned former Premier Imran Khan.

“We do not comment on Congressional correspondence...legal proceedings against the former Prime Minister are matters for the Pakistani courts to decide,” the US State Department said in an emailed response to Geo News.

Zalmay Khalilzad has been vocal about releasing former Premier Imran Khan.

Khalilzad took to X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, writing, “#Pakistan continues to face triple crises: political (the jailing of @ImranKhan), economic (see below), and security (with intensified fighting with Afghanistan and hundreds of Pakistanis killed.  Pakistan needs a reset.  It must start with freedom for Imran Khan.”

Following the victory of the US presidential election of Donald J. Trump, the former special representatives to Afghanistan, in a post on X in November last year, noted: “With Trump’s victory in the #USA election, how would General Assim Munir explain the ongoing unjustified imprisonment of his friend Imran Khan. It is time to release Imran Khan and others who are being held without a fair judicial process.”

Members of the US House of Representatives, from both the Republican and Democratic parties, have repeatedly urged outgoing President Joe Biden to advocate for the immediate release of Imran Khan and all other political prisoners in Pakistan.

On August 5, 2024, the PTI founder was arrested after his conviction in the Tosha Khana case. Khan is currently held in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi under B-class facilities.

The US State Department spokesperson underscored the important relationship between the US and Pakistan regarding human rights. “We are in regular communication with Pakistani authorities on human rights and other key issues,” he said.

Recently, the US had appreciated Pakistan's efforts in reforming the economy to deal with financial challenges.

The spokesperson of the US State Department, while speaking in a press briefing, said that the US welcomes the agreement between Pakistan and the IMF, adding, “Pakistan is taking steps to stabilise its economy.”