Richard Grenell, selected by US President-elect Donald Trump as the presidential envoy for special missions, has called for the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
In an interview with a US news outlet, Grenell stated, “There are similar allegations against Imran Khan as those faced by President Trump, where the ruling party imprisoned him based on fabricated corruption claims.”
He added, “I would like to see Imran Khan released from jail,” during his conversation with NEWSMAX.
Grenell emphasized that the people of Pakistan should determine if Imran Khan wants to return to political office. He also noted that US-Pakistan relations were stronger during Trump’s administration when Imran Khan was in power. “As an outsider and former cricketer, Imran Khan wasn’t a typical politician. He communicated in common-sense language, which fostered a good relationship with President Trump,” he said.
Earlier in November, US Congress members expressed serious concern over Imran Khan’s detention and Pakistan’s human rights situation in a letter to President Joe Biden.
A total of 54 members of the US House of Representatives urged the outgoing president to advocate for Khan’s immediate release.
The letter described Khan’s detention as “unlawful” and called for the release of other political prisoners.
“Our primary concern is the unlawful detention of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, widely regarded as Pakistan’s most popular political figure. We urge the US government to push for his immediate release, along with other political detainees, and to ensure their safety as highlighted in the UN Working Group report,” the letter stated.
The Congress members also demanded urgent action on the House of Representatives’ resolution addressing Pakistan’s human rights conditions.
