Following the passage of a resolution by US Congress expressing concern over the human rights situation in Pakistan, the alleged rigging in 2024 polls, and the demand for free and fair investigations into those allegations, the State Department has also endorsed its contents. Deputy Spokesperson of the State Department Vedant Patel in his daily press briefing on 1 July in response to a question regarding the resolution passed by Congress said” This is something that we have continued to raise with our partners in Pakistan. Yes, that continues to be the area of our focus” he further said that they have consistently, privately, and publicly urged Pakistan to respect the rights of the people in line with its constitution and international commitments.

Pakistani parliament has rightly rejected the Congress resolution pointing out that it was interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan. The question is what right does the US Congress or for that matter the US administration have to issue such statements and ask Pakistan what it needs to do on the issues that it has raised? This is nothing but a bullying attitude of a superpower.

Unfortunately, the matter has not ended there. Now the UN working group on Forced Detentions has also made very hard-hitting allegations against Pakistan and without mincing any words has said that Imran Khan’s detention was arbitrary and in violation of international law. It said “Appropriate remedy would be to release Mr. Khan immediately and accord him an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations, in accordance with international law. Khan’s woes are part of a much larger campaign of repression against him and his Pakistan........

© The Nation