Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Tuesday addressed the detention of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, emphasizing that it is strictly a domestic issue for Pakistan.
The statement comes amid international scrutiny over Khan’s imprisonment with a UN human rights working group recently declaring that Khan’s detention is arbitrary and breaches international law, urging his immediate release.
In response, Minister Tarar reiterated Pakistan’s status as a sovereign nation, asserting that legal proceedings are conducted independently by the judiciary.
He affirmed that Imran Khan is being treated in accordance with the law, with all his rights safeguarded under both national and international norms. Tarar also noted that any judicial relief granted to Khan in various cases demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to conducting transparent and fair trials that adhere to constitutional and international standards.
Additionally, the US State Department weighed in on the matter, labeling Khan’s detention as Pakistan’s internal affair.
During a press briefing, Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the State Department, referred to the UN’s findings on the illegality of Khan’s detention and deferred back to the UN for further details. He stated that the US would not provide further assessment on this issue.
