Monitor Imran Khan Trials, Reveals Lawyer Yousuf Chaudhry"
- Details of the £190m and Toshakhana cases provided to the IPU.
- Briefings on the May 9 and GHQ cases were shared.
- UK and US lawmakers had earlier called for Khan's release.
(Global Parliamentary Body to Observe Trials of PTI Founder Imran Khan
His lawyer revealed on Thursday that a global parliamentary organization has decided to send its representative to monitor the ongoing legal proceedings against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.
Khalid Yousuf Chaudhry, Khan's legal counsel, disclosed to Geo News that he had discussions with an official from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Following these talks, the IPU confirmed its decision to assign a trial observer for the former prime minister's cases.
The IPU, an international body that includes Pakistan as a member, works to promote parliamentary diplomacy and strengthen democratic practices globally.
According to Chaudhry, "The IPU representative was briefed on the judicial proceedings in the £190 million case and the Toshakhana cases." He added, "I provided detailed insights into the penalties imposed in the Toshakhana cases, highlighting the legal and constitutional violations, as well as breaches of the right to a fair trial."
Chaudhry also informed the IPU representative about the events surrounding May 9 and the GHQ case. He further revealed that in November 2023, an IPU trial observer attempted to visit Adiala Jail to meet Khan but was denied access.
This is not the first time international figures have expressed concern over Imran Khan's legal battles. Lawmakers from the UK and US have previously called for the former prime minister’s release.
Khan, who became Pakistan's first prime minister to be removed via a no-confidence vote, has been imprisoned since August 2023, despite having all four of his convictions either suspended or overturned.
In July 2023, several UK parliamentarians urged authorities for Khan's release. Later, in October 2024, over 60 Democratic members of the US House of Representatives wrote to President Joe Biden, urging him to leverage Washington's influence to secure Khan's freedom.
While these calls have garnered significant attention, both the US and UK governments have maintained that Khan's legal matters remain Pakistan’s internal issue.
Additionally, the US, UK, and EU voiced concerns last month over the use of military courts to prosecute civilians linked to the May 9, 2023, attacks on military installations following Khan’s arrest.)
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