According to his lawyer, Khalid Yousuf Chaudhry, a global parliamentary body has announced plans to send a representative to observe the ongoing trials against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.
Chaudhry stated that he had discussions with an official from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), after which he made the decision to send a trial observer. The IPU, a body of which Pakistan is a member, is dedicated to fostering parliamentary diplomacy and empowering lawmakers to promote peace, democracy, and sustainable development worldwide.
“The IPU representative was briefed on the judicial proceedings in the £190 million case,” Chaudhry said. “They were also informed about the Toshakhana cases.”
He elaborated further, saying, “I provided the IPU representative with details regarding the penalties in the Toshakhana cases, as well as the legal and constitutional flaws and the violation of the right to a fair trial.”
The lawyer also mentioned that the representative was briefed on the events of May 9, 2023, and the GHQ case. He highlighted that “in November 2023, an IPU trial observer attempted to visit Adiala Jail but was denied permission.”
This is not the first instance of international concern regarding Khan’s legal battles and imprisonment. British and American lawmakers have previously called for his release. In July 2024, several British parliamentarians advocated for Khan’s freedom. Similarly, in October 2024, over 60 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives wrote to President Joe Biden, urging him to leverage Washington’s influence with Pakistan to secure Khan’s release.
Despite these appeals, both the U.S. and UK governments have maintained that the matter is an internal issue for Pakistan.
Additionally, the U.S., UK, and EU have recently voiced criticism of Pakistan’s military courts for sentencing civilians in cases related to the May 9, 2023, attacks on military facilities following Khan’s arrest.
