Forum Calls for “Restoration of Judicial Independence” and Freedom for All Political Prisoners
LONDON: Over a dozen UK parliamentarians demanded the immediate release and fair trial of Imran Khan, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, and all political prisoners facing charges, including the May 9 and November 26 incidents, during an event at Portcullis House on January 16, 2025.
The event was organized by the newly formed “Friends of Democratic Pakistan-UK” (FODP), led by Safina Faisal, who aimed to highlight issues such as the killing of peaceful protestors, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary arrests of political workers, women, and journalists.
The session was chaired by James Frith MP (Labour Party) and addressed by Khan’s former cabinet member Zulfi Bukhari, ex-accountability chief Shehzad Akbar, Lord Daniel Hannan, and activists alleging rights violations for supporting PTI.
James Frith MP, Safina Faisal, and lawyer Michael Pollack were present at the event. Other MPs included Andrew Pakes, Naz Shah, Jeremy Corbyn, Paul Waugh, James Asser, Kate Deardon, Jas Athwal, Gurinder Josan, Margaret Mullaine, Warinder Juss, Adnan Hussain, Preet Kaur, Ayoub Khan, and Iqbal Mohamed.
Bukhari claimed Khan remains in solitary confinement, with rare access to lawyers and family. He alleged, “His wife faced such dire conditions that she sought imprisonment alongside him.”
In conclusion, the forum called for judicial independence, the release of political prisoners, sanctions on human rights violators, and fair trials, emphasizing the dire state of Pakistan’s democracy.
