In a written response to ITV, Khan outlines his expectations from the UK government concerning his imprisonment.
Imran Khan Calls on UK to Stand for Democracy Amid Political Turmoil in Pakistan
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated for over a year on multiple charges, has voiced serious concerns about the deteriorating state of democracy in Pakistan. In a written response to questions from London-based ITV News, Khan urged the United Kingdom to take a strong stand for “freedom and fairness” in Pakistan’s ongoing political crisis.
Speaking through his legal team, Khan congratulated UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on his recent electoral victory but painted a grim picture of the situation in Pakistan by asking him to imagine a scenario where senior Labour Party members were “abducted in the dead of night” during the UK election campaign. This, Khan implied, would help the UK leadership understand the severity of what is happening in Pakistan.
Khan, who served as Pakistan’s Prime Minister from 2018 until his removal in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in 2022, has been imprisoned since August 2023. Although initial sentences against him were overturned, new charges have kept him behind bars, a situation that many of his supporters see as a deliberate attempt to prevent him and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party from returning to power.
Despite his imprisonment, Khan remains resolute, stating, “I am both mentally and physically prepared for the struggle ahead. True democratic change and freedom in Pakistan were never going to be easy.” He has found solace in prayer, reading, and exercise during his time in confinement, which he says have been crucial sources of strength.
Reflecting on the UK’s recent general election, Khan urged Prime Minister Starmer and his cabinet to consider how they would feel if their electoral victory was unjustly taken from them. “I urge PM Starmer and his cabinet, who assumed power through the genuine will of the people without any electoral manipulation, to imagine if their overwhelming victory was stolen,” he said.
Khan’s supporters have long claimed that his imprisonment, which occurred just six months before Pakistan’s February 2024 elections, is part of a politically motivated effort to block PTI from regaining power. The restrictions imposed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) forced PTI candidates to run as independents. Despite these challenges, PTI managed to secure 93 seats in the National Assembly, far surpassing expectations. Khan has accused the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PMLN) of winning only a small number of seats legitimately, a claim the PMLN denies.
Describing the difficulties faced by his party, Khan painted a bleak picture: “Picture a scenario where a party that barely won 18 seats usurped your mandate, where your party symbols were stripped, and your leaders were imprisoned or tortured until they switched allegiances or left politics altogether. Imagine homes broken into and women and children abducted in the dead of night.”
Khan lamented that his party has been “brutally suppressed,” adding, “The people of Pakistan yearned for change, for democracy, and for the rule of law to prevail. Their votes were a cry for justice, self-determination, and freedom.”
When questioned about whether the new British government should advocate for his release, Khan emphasized that the UK administration carries “tremendous responsibility and high expectations” on the global stage. He warned that the world is watching the UK, particularly in light of international crises such as the situation in Gaza and the broader erosion of democratic principles globally.
“The world is watching them and looking to them for leadership, especially in light of the horrific situation in Gaza and the erosion of democratic principles globally,” Khan remarked. “We have a collective duty to uphold the values of peace and strive for freedom and fairness for everyone. Where the UK stands in its commitment to these values will speak volumes.”
Khan also expressed his concern about the rise of Islamophobia in the UK, reflecting on his time spent in the country during his cricketing days. “Having spent much time in the UK during my cricketing days, it saddens me to see the rise of Islamophobia over the past decade. I hope the newly appointed government can curb the bigotry that has affected Muslims and people of all faiths.”
In addition to his broader political concerns, Khan described the harsh conditions of his imprisonment in Rawalpindi Jail. He claimed that he is confined in a small cell under constant surveillance, with no privacy. However, the government has refuted these allegations, asserting before the Supreme Court that Khan is provided with adequate amenities, including an exercise bike, a separate kitchen, a room cooler, a study table, and an LED TV.