Tale of 2 letters: Pakistani MPs respond to US lawmakers over Imran Khan's detention

Pakistani lawmakers raised concerns on Thursday with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over alleged misrepresentation of Pakistan's domestic politics in the US.

“We write to you to express our concerns on unwarranted and inaccurate commentary on Pakistan's domestic politics by 62 Members of House of Representatives of US Congress. Their letter, addressed to their President, not only reflects a skewed view of realities but greatly exaggerates baseless political narrative of one particular party at the expense of state institutions and other political parties that is tantamount to external interference in Pakistan's internal matters,” said the letter, signed by 160-members of the parliament.

“While the honorable members of US Congress have unabridged rights of political opinion and free speech, the aforementioned letter is unfortunately influenced by blatant disinformation peddled by adherents of same political party.”

The parliamentarians conveyed that they felt duty-bound to inform members of Congress, through the premier, to distinguish fact from fiction and critically assess the political motives behind efforts to discredit Pakistan's “credible political process” and undermine its democratic institutions.

“Pakistan, like any other democracy, grapples with challenges of post-truth era which have been further complicated by politics of cult-followership and polarization. This is exemplified in the persona of Mr lmran Khan Niazi who has introduced political violence and criminal intimidation against political rivals as well as state institutions. Over the last decade, he has instigated mobs to attack Parliament, State Television Building and Radio Pakistan apart from a widespread rampage and vandalism on May 9, 2023 which remains the darkest day of our history,” the letter stated.

The lawmakers said that facing such extraordinary challenges, states are compelled to take “exceptional measures” against its citizens. “Even US authorizes use of force against civilians (DoD Directive 5240.01), surveillance of communication under Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and tried people under Military Commission Act 2006,” they said.

“We are aware that the current period is of an unprecedented political activity in US due to a highly contested election. Political parties lobby support from all constituencies, however, such unfounded comments about politics in Pakistan are presumed to be sanctioned by US Government on one hand and are construed as blatant political interference on the other,” the letter stated.

The lawmakers urged the Pakistani government to direct the diplomatic mission in Washington D.C. to engage the members of Pak Caucus in the US Congress as well as signatories of this letter to highlight the correct perspective on the issue and “caution” them from falling prey to unsubstantiated political propaganda against the Pakistani government, its officials and elected representatives of people of Pakistan, as well as the democratic institutions of the country and independent judiciary.

The other letter

Last week, more than 60 Democratic lawmakers from the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to Biden seeking the release of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan from jail.

The letter claimed that the outcome of the last general elections in Pakistan was marred with discrepancies and irregularities.

It specifically referred to the detention of PTI workers following attacks on military installations on May 9, 2023.

"At a minimum, we ask your administration to urgently secure the guarantees from the Pakistani government for Khan's safety and well-being and urge U.S. Embassy officials to visit him in prison," the letter said.

Pakistan's Foreign Office condemned the letter saying “commenting on Pakistan's internal matters violates diplomatic etiquette."

Imran has faced dozens of cases since he was removed as prime minister in 2022 after which he launched a protest movement against a coalition of his rivals led by current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Imran says cases against him, which disqualified him from contesting the February elections, are politically motivated. His party workers continue holding mass protest rallies, which sometimes block entire cities, seeking their leader's release.

May 9 events

More than 9,096 people were arrested nationwide in connection with the May 9, 2023, riots, marking one of the largest crackdowns in Pakistan's recent history.

Many of these arrests were linked to attacks on military installations, leading authorities to propose using military courts for civilian trials. This decision transferred 102 cases from anti-terrorism courts to military courts, sparking criticism from human rights organizations and the United Nations, who raised concerns about due process and transparency.

A Supreme Court bench led by Justice Aminuddin Khan reviewed intra-court appeals concerning last October's ruling that declared military trials of civilians unconstitutional.

Previously, a five-member Supreme Court bench, headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsan, had invalidated such trials, requiring them to be conducted in criminal courts. However, on December 13, the Supreme Court conditionally suspended this ruling pending a final decision, following appeals by the caretaker federal government and provincial governments, except Sindh.

On Oct 23 last year, a five-member SC bench declared the military trials of civilians arrested in the wake of violent protests in the country on May 9 to be “null and void.”

Justice Ijazul Ahsan had headed the bench comprising Justices Munib Akhtar, Yahya Afridi, Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Ayesha A. Malik.