Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed backs Imran Khan’s release, calls for end to US aid to Pakistan
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed backs Imran Khan’s release, calls for end to US aid to Pakistan")
Imran Khan Photograph: (AFP)
Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed criticised Pakistan’s military establishment and called for Imran Khan’s release, democratic governance and human rights. His remarks come amid a row over Khan’s prison treatment
The issue of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's imprisonment has gone global with Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed strongly condemning Pakistani government's action against him. This comes after British politician Zac Goldsmith who is also Khan’s former brother-in-law wrote a letter to UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband asking him to intervene with the Pakistan government over treatment of Khan.
Now, speaking at the Pakistan Association of America's annual gathering in metro Detroit, El-Sayed called for the release of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. He openly denounced Pakistan's government as a military "dictatorship" and stated that “democracy is not being allowed to take its place.” He specifically spoke out against the intimidation and imprisonment of political leaders, including former PM Khan. Drawing a parallel to Egypt—the country his parents immigrated from—El-Sayed argued that neither government should receive US financial aid or be shielded from criticism simply because they are American allies. He called for the restoration of genuine human rights and democratic governance for the Pakistani people.
Imran Khan controversy in Pakistan
Uproar began in Pakistan after Pakistani Supreme Court's recent order on Imran Khan. The Supreme Court delivered an order on August 18 directing the government to move Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within 48 hours. “We are mindful of the constitutional and legal obligation of the state, and consequently of the Supreme Court, to safeguard the life, health, dignity and security of persons in custody. A prisoner does not, by reason of his incarceration, cease to be entitled to humane treatment and necessary medical care,” the court said.
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On Saturday (Aug 22), Khan was taken out of jail to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad for a brief medical examination instead of being transferred to the private Shifa International Hospital, as directed by the top court. Moreover, rather than being admitted to the hospital for treatment, Khan was taken back to the prison after the medical tests within a few hours, prompting PTI to express outrage.
PTI moved the Supreme Court against the government, alleging that authorities violated its order. Khan’s sister Uzma Khan, who was present during his examination at PIMS, told reporters that her brother appeared physically fit but claimed he had told her that he was “being repeatedly tortured in prison”.
“He repeatedly told me, ‘I have been subjected to injustice. I am being severely tortured.’
The Pakistani government blamed PTI for the transfer to the state-run facility instead of the private one ordered by the Supreme Court, citing heavy presence of party members outside the Shifa International Hospital. "Contempt has definitely happened. Wasn't it PTI who did it? Didn't they violate the court order?,” Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said. Speaking at a press conference, he said, “If somebody is in contempt, it is Imran Khan’s sister and his party... The prisoner’s family was in contempt. His party was in contempt by gathering people and creating issues for the authorities.” He insisted that the government fulfilled the court order by taking Khan to a medical checkup in the presence of his sister and doctors from the Shifa hospital.
