Richard Grenell, chosen by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as the presidential envoy for special missions, has called for the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan from jail.
In an interview, Grenell likened the allegations against Khan to those faced by Trump, stating, “The ruling party imprisoned him under corruption charges that seem politically motivated. I would like to see Imran Khan released.”
Grenell emphasized that the people of Pakistan should decide Khan’s political future. Reflecting on past relations, he noted that the U.S. enjoyed better ties with Pakistan during Trump’s presidency when Imran Khan was in power. “Imran Khan, as a non-politician and former cricket star, connected well with Donald Trump, fostering a positive relationship.”
This follows a November letter from 54 U.S. Congress members to President Joe Biden, expressing concerns over Khan’s detention and Pakistan’s human rights situation. They described Khan’s arrest as “unlawful” and urged the U.S. government to advocate for his release, alongside other political prisoners, citing a UN Working Group report.
The lawmakers also pushed for action on the House of Representatives’ resolution addressing human rights in Pakistan, calling for swift measures to ensure justice and political freedom.
