Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, has expressed hope for a constructive change in the circumstances surrounding the detention of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. Dujarric made this statement during a daily press briefing on Tuesday, responding to a query about Khan’s situation.
“We [UN Secretary-General] want to see the current political situation, the current situation of Mr [Imran] Khan, evolve in a much more positive way,” Dujarric said.
Imran Khan, founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has been in jail since August. He faces numerous legal cases and was convicted in several just ahead of a national election set for February. Khan’s party claims these charges are politically motivated to prevent his return to power.
The query during the briefing referred to a recommendation from the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD), which called for Khan’s unconditional release. In response, Dujarric reiterated the UN’s hope for a positive development in Khan’s situation.
In recent months, courts have suspended Khan’s jail sentences in cases involving the illegal acquisition and sale of state gifts, and overturned his conviction on charges of leaking state secrets. The UNWGAD’s opinion, issued on Monday, stated that Khan’s detention was arbitrary and violated international law, urging his immediate release and compensation.
The Geneva-based UN group described Khan’s legal troubles as part of a “much larger campaign of repression” against him and his party. It alleged that in the lead-up to the 2024 elections, PTI members were arrested and tortured, their rallies disrupted, and election fraud was rampant.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar dismissed the UN report, calling Khan’s arrest and legal cases an “internal matter” of Pakistan. Tarar emphasized that Khan has rights under Pakistan’s constitution and international standards, and that his detention is in accordance with the country’s laws.
Khan, who was ousted from power via a no-confidence motion in April 2022, has faced numerous charges, including corruption and terrorism, since his removal. Despite relief in several cases, he remains behind bars due to his conviction in the iddat case.
