ISLAMABAD: A US State Department official confirmed on Monday that the administration in Washington had received a letter from over 60 Democratic lawmakers urging President Joe Biden to secure the release of Pakistani political prisoners, including former prime minister Imran Khan, though he was reticent to discuss the likely response.
US lawmakers urged President Biden last week to address concerns over alleged irregularities in Pakistan’s February 8 general elections and opposition mistreatment, calling for human rights to be made a central pillar of US policy toward Pakistan.
However, the Pakistani authorities described the letter as “counterproductive,” saying it was not in line with the “positive dynamics” of ties between the two states.
Matthew Miller, the US State Department Spokesperson, was asked about the letter and the Biden administration’s position on it during a news conference.
“We’ve received it and will respond in due course to the members,” Miller responded succinctly.
He was asked about the recent release of ex-premier Khan’s wife and sisters from prison, where they were detained on various charges last week, as the questioner wondered if the development was linked to US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Democracy and Human Rights Monica Jacobsen’s recent meeting with Pakistan’s federal human rights secretary in Islamabad.
“So, all I will say about that is that the deputy assistant secretary in that meeting emphasized the important role of human rights, support for a vibrant civil society, and strong democratic institutions play in our comprehensive US-Pakistan relationship,” the State Department official said.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has frequently complained about facing a state crackdown, with several top leaders imprisoned for over a year, including the former prime minister, who has been tried in multiple cases ranging from treason to corruption.
Khan says all cases against him are fabricated to keep him out of politics.
The PTI also maintains it was not allowed to campaign freely ahead of the last general elections, which were marred by a mobile Internet shutdown on election day and unusually delayed results, leading to accusations of rigging and raising concerns from rights groups and foreign governments.
US says will respond ‘in due course’ to lawmakers’ call for Imran Khan’s release
https://arab.news/8knuk
US says will respond ‘in due course’ to lawmakers’ call for Imran Khan’s release
- US lawmakers wrote to Biden last week, asking him to secure release of political prisoners in Pakistan
- Matthew Miller highlights Washington’s interest in strong Pakistani civil society, democratic institutions
Pakistan PM praises stuntman ‘Sultan Golden’ for breaking record for fastest reverse car driving
- Sultan Muhammad Khan drove one mile in reverse in just 57 seconds to set new world record, local media widely reported
- Khan previously broke world record for longest motorbike ramp jump in 1987, managing a 249-feet long jump in Lahore
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari praised renowned stuntman Sultan Muhammad Khan, popularly known as “Sultan Golden,” for breaking the world record for fastest reverse driving a car on Saturday.
As per local media reports, Khan achieved the feat in the capital of Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province Quetta, when he drove one mile in reserve in just 57 seconds.
“Sultan Golden has made Pakistan proud across the world,” Sharif said in a statement released by his office.
The Pakistani prime minister said his government is committed to providing all possible facilities in every field of sports.
Zardari also heaped praise on the stuntman for setting the new world record.
“He said the achievement reflects the skill, courage and dedication of Pakistanis, strengthening Pakistan’s positive image globally and wished him continued success,” the president’s official X account wrote.
Khan has been performing stunts since the 1980s in Pakistan, a country where motorsports does not gain traction due to a lack of infrastructure and popularity of other sports such as cricket, football and squash.
Khan, who hails from the southwestern city of Pasni, earned the nickname ‘Golden’ early on in his youth for his iconic curly golden hair.
In March 1987, he entered his name in the Guinness Book of World Records when he performed the longest motorbike ramp jump in Lahore. Khan managed a 249-feet long jump, beating the previous record by two feet.
