Nearly two dozen UK Members of Parliament have called for the immediate release of Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, currently imprisoned in Adiala Jail alongside his wife, Bushra Begum.
This demand was made during a hearing in the House of Lords’ Committee Room, focused on the erosion of democratic norms in Pakistan and the “illegal incarceration” of Khan. The hearing was co-convened by Labour MP for Bradford West, Naz Shah, and Conservative Peer, Lord Hannan of Kingsclere.
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Guest speakers included Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, recently appointed as Imran Khan’s International Affairs Adviser, and Meher Bano Qureshi, a PTI candidate in the 2024 Pakistani general election, along with Sarwar Bari, founder of Pattan Development. Over 22 MPs from major parties attended the hearing.
Lord Hannan, Zulfi Bukhari, Naz Shah, and Meher Bano Qureshi, among other MPs, participated in the “democracy in crisis” hearing on Pakistan. Meher Bano Qureshi and Jahanzeb Khan also attended.
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“I have always spoken for Pakistan,” said MP Naz Shah, who emphasized the importance of the hearing on the “illegal incarceration” of the PTI founder.
The hearing saw participation from prominent parliamentarians, including former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, former Home Secretary Priti Patel, and several others from various political backgrounds. Newly elected independent MPs and Labour’s Naushabah Khan were also in attendance, alongside PTI UK leader Jahanzeb Khan and other office bearers.
The hearing resolved to urge Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy to take note of the recent UN report on Imran Khan’s incarceration, demand his immediate release, and advocate for the return of democracy to Pakistan.
Bukhari spoke for ten minutes, outlining the events since Khan’s removal from power in April 2022 and alleging that the February elections were rigged, with fears that Khan might be tried in military courts. He highlighted the atrocities committed against freedom and democracy in Pakistan over the past two years and called for global awareness and intervention.
Meher Bano Qureshi spoke for nearly 17 minutes, detailing the challenges faced by PTI candidates in the general elections. She criticized the lack of response from Western democracies and emphasized the desire for freedom and fair elections in Pakistan.
Lord Hannan of Kingsclere expressed support for Pakistan and its democracy, calling for the implementation of UN recommendations, including Khan’s release and a timetable for free elections. He emphasized the importance of international advocacy for Pakistani democracy.
Naz Shah highlighted the pro-Pakistan nature of the hearing and her commitment to media freedoms, human rights, and democracy in Pakistan. She stressed the importance of the UN report on Khan’s incarceration and the need for continued parliamentary efforts to ensure progress in Pakistan.