UK’s Jeremy Corbyn says ‘deeply concerned’ about detention of Pakistan’s Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: British politician Jeremy Corbyn, who has been a member of parliament for Islington North since 1983, said this week he was “deeply concerned” about the continued detention of Pakistan’s former premier Imran Khan, calling for the release of all political prisoners around the world.

Several world leaders have called for Khan’s release in recent weeks, including Richard Grenell, US President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for presidential envoy on special missions, and former Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz, who Trump wants to serve as the nation’s top lawman. In October, over 60 Democratic lawmakers from the US House of Representatives wrote to President Joe Biden, urging him to use Washington’s leverage with Pakistan to secure the release of Khan.

“I remain deeply concerned about the ongoing detention of Imran Khan,” Corbyn wrote on X on Monday.

“His disgraceful treatment is an affront to the democratic rights of the people of Pakistan. We must continue to speak up for the release of all political prisoners everywhere.”

Khan has been in jail since August 2023 and has faced dozens of cases since he was removed as prime minister in 2022 after which he launched a protest movement against a coalition of his rivals led by current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Khan says cases against him, which disqualified him from contesting the 2024 elections, are politically motivated. He had a fallout with Pakistan’s military that he blames for his ouster. The military denies political interference. Pakistan’s government denies being unfair in the treatment of Khan or his supporters. 

Candidates whom Khan backed secured the highest number of seats in the elections. However, his rivals formed a coalition government. A UN human rights working group has said Khan’s detention violates international law.