UN chief for ‘positive’ turn in Imran’s situation

Panel recommended his release, marking second international disapproval of government's actions against PTI

ISLAMABAD:

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed a desire to see PTI founder Imran Khan’s current situation “evolve in a much more positive way,” according to his spokesperson.

In a press conference, when asked about the UN chief’s stance on the United Nations rights group’s recommendation for Imran’s immediate release, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated: “It’s a recommendation from an independent panel. We want to see the current political situation, the current situation of Mr Khan, evolve in a much more positive way.”

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which investigates cases of deprivation of liberty by governments, recently declared the cases against Imran Khan “without legal basis” and politically motivated to exclude him from the political arena.

The panel recommended his release and compensation, marking the second international disapproval of the government’s actions against PTI and its founder within a week.

This follows a US resolution urging Pakistan to investigate allegations of irregularities in the February 8 elections.

However, on Tuesday, the government and its allies rejected the UN working group’s recommendations concerning Imran Khan’s detention, labelling it a “conspiracy against the institutions”.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar dismissed the working group’s non-binding recommendations, stating that Imran’s detention was an “internal matter” and that legal actions were taken in accordance with the Constitution and prevailing laws.

Tarar stressed that Imran Khan was entitled to all rights under the Constitution and laws, as well as international principles, noting that the ex-premier was currently in jail as a convicted prisoner.