Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, recently posed a critical question in light of Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential victory: How would General Asim Munir explain the ongoing unjustified imprisonment of Trump’s friend, Imran Khan? This query is not merely rhetorical; it highlights the central dilemma facing U.S. foreign policy as Trump’s return to the White House raises the stakes for Pakistan’s political future.
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. #Pakistan
— Zalmay Khalilzad (@realZalmayMK) November 7, 2024
The Biden administration has largely ignored the rising authoritarianism in Pakistan under General Asim Munir’s military-led government. The U.S. has turned a blind eye to election fraud, political repression, and the erosion of civil liberties in the country. However, with Trump back in power, the question arises: will U.S. policy towards Pakistan take a dramatic shift, especially in light of Trump’s previously strong bilateral ties with Imran Khan’s government?
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Arrests, Election Fraud, and Judicial Subjugation
Imran Khan’s imprisonment, which has been condemned as politically motivated and unjust, stands at the center of the political and human rights crisis in Pakistan. The international community, including organizations like Amnesty International and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, has called for his immediate release.
Pakistan’s 2024 general elections, plagued by irregularities and manipulation, have seen the military-backed PML-N-PPP coalition take control, sidelining Khan’s party, PTI. The U.S. Congress responded with Human Rights Resolution 901, condemning the election’s fraudulence and suppression of political opposition.
The Biden administration’s inaction in the face of rising authoritarianism in Pakistan has been seen as a missed opportunity to uphold democratic values and human rights in the region. The administration’s reluctance to confront Pakistan’s military-backed government over its electoral fraud, the imprisonment of opposition leaders, and the suppression of dissent has allowed General Munir to consolidate his grip on power with impunity.
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With Trump back in power, this dynamic could change. His more direct and confrontational approach to foreign policy, particularly his personal ties with Khan, may lead to a stronger U.S. stance on these critical issues. Trump could use his influence to push for Khan’s release, challenge the military’s interference in politics, and demand reforms to safeguard Pakistan’s democracy and judicial independence.