Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is seeking support from foreign powers to secure the release of its founder, Imran Khan, and facilitate his relocation abroad. Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, Asif said, “They are appealing to foreign powers to influence Pakistan towards releasing Imran Khan and sending him to a particular country.”
Asif also suggested that these foreign countries are open to welcoming Khan upon his release. However, when asked if these countries were in Europe or the United States, he sidestepped the question, jokingly citing his “weakness in geography.”
Imran Khan has been in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail since August 2023 following his conviction in the Toshakhana case and additional sentencing in other cases ahead of the February 8 elections. Khan continues to deny all allegations.
The defense minister’s remarks come shortly after around 20 British MPs urged Foreign Secretary David Lammy to advocate for Khan’s release and for diplomatic engagement with Islamabad. Similarly, over 60 members of the US House of Representatives recently wrote to President Joe Biden, asking him to prioritize human rights in US policy towards Pakistan and to use American influence to push for Khan’s release. They also requested that US embassy officials be allowed to visit Khan in Adiala jail.
