US Senator Chuck Schumer, the most powerful Democrat in Congress, has warned Pakistan that the safety of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan is a high priority for the United States. The warning followed concerns raised by Pakistani diaspora activists amid fears that the Pakistani military may harm Khan, who was removed from office in 2022.
Khan is currently incarcerated on corruption charges widely seen as politically motivated. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has faced significant repression since his ouster.
Schumer’s outreach to Pakistan comes as the country’s new coalition government seeks to consolidate power despite public disaffection over alleged fraud in a recent election.