In a conversation with Pakistan’s ambassador to Washington, Senator Chuck Schumer emphasized the paramount importance of ensuring the safety of incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Sources familiar with the exchange revealed that Schumer’s warning came after intense activism by members of the Pakistani diaspora, who expressed concerns about Khan’s well-being amid allegations of potential harm by the Pakistani military.
Mohammad Munir Khan, a Pakistani American political activist, hailed Schumer’s intervention as a constructive step. He highlighted the frustration of the Pakistani American diaspora over Washington’s perceived inaction in holding Pakistani power brokers accountable for human rights violations and democratic erosion.
Khan’s imprisonment on corruption charges has been widely viewed as politically motivated. Regarded as Pakistan’s most popular politician, Khan was ousted from power in an April 2022 no-confidence vote orchestrated by the country’s military establishment.
Concerns about Khan’s safety stemmed from fears that the military might resort to extreme measures to quell his enduring popularity. These concerns prompted Schumer’s call to Ambassador Masood Khan.
Schumer’s outreach, representing a large and vocal Pakistani American community in New York, coincided with the efforts of Pakistan’s new governing coalition to solidify its authority. However, these efforts have been met with public disaffection due to allegations of widespread fraud in the February election.
In addition to banning PTI, Pakistan engaged in pre-election crackdowns targeting PTI-aligned candidates. Despite credible evidence of vote rigging and fraud, a coalition of parties backed by the military formed a government led by Shehbaz Sharif.
The international community, including the U.S., acknowledged voting irregularities. However, Washington’s ambassador to Pakistan downplayed concerns, a move criticized by foreign policy experts who argued that the Biden administration was prioritizing security over democratic principles.
Khan’s detention conditions have raised concerns. Last month, his visitor privileges were abruptly suspended for two weeks, prompting fears about his physical well-being. Earlier this month, one of his lawyers claimed that his personal physician was denied access to him.
Khan’s wife, incarcerated on politically motivated charges, has also experienced health problems due to her confinement conditions.
In a statement from prison, Khan alleged a plot to kill him while incarcerated. He implicated General Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, in a potential assassination attempt.
Schumer’s call to the Pakistani ambassador may influence the military’s calculations regarding Khan’s fate. Experts believe that while harming Khan in prison would be an extreme step, it would align with a pattern of violent deaths of Pakistani leaders who fell out with the military.
Pakistani activists in the U.S. emphasize the leverage that the American relationship with Pakistan provides in ensuring Khan’s safety. They urge Washington to use its influence to prevent his potential assassination.
The U.S. has played a significant role in Pakistan’s internal politics, including Khan’s ouster. In August 2023, The Intercept reported on a classified Pakistani diplomatic cable that revealed intense pressure from U.S. State Department officials on Pakistan to remove Khan from power.
Since Khan’s ouster, the U.S. has collaborated closely with the new military-backed regime. Pakistan provided weapons to Ukraine in exchange for a favorable IMF loan package brokered by the U.S.
Khan has repeatedly referred to the classified cable and claimed to possess a physical copy. He now faces a lengthy prison sentence for mishandling classified information, adding to the corruption charges against him.
Most observers see Khan’s continued imprisonment as a politically motivated attempt to sideline him and his movement. Following the recent election, members of Congress have raised concerns about Khan’s removal and the vote’s irregularities.
At a hearing featuring Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu, Rep. Brad Sherman urged Lu to visit Khan in prison, receiving applause from the Pakistani audience.
Congress members have cautioned that continued U.S. support for a government deemed illegitimate by many Pakistanis could harm not only Pakistan but also the U.S. position in the region.
Promoting democracy should be a priority in itself and aligns with U.S. interests, Congressman Casar emphasized. He argued that supporting illegitimate, military-led governments ultimately undermines America’s long-term interests.
