UN Report: Tarar declares Imran Khan's arrest and cases as Pakistan's internal matter

Reacting to the United Nations (UN) Working Group's report, Federal Minister for Law Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar declared that the arrest and cases against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan are Pakistan's internal matter.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the law minister stated that, as a sovereign state, Pakistan adheres to its constitution and existing laws through its courts. 

The law minister emphasised that Imran Khan, as a convicted criminal, is entitled to all rights in prison following the constitution of Pakistan, local laws, and international principles.

Tarar noted that the relief provided to Imran Khan in several cases demonstrates the transparency and fairness of Pakistan's judicial system. 

He further asserted that any demands that exceed the constitution, laws, and international principles would be considered discriminatory, biased, and contrary to justice.

In an opinion published yesterday, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention raised serious concerns about multiple cases brought against Khan since he was ousted in April 2022.

A panel of UN experts have determined that the detention of former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan was arbitrary and in violation of international law, calling for him to be released "immediately."

It found that his deprivation of liberty violated a string of international laws and norms, and was "arbitrary."

"Thus, from the outset, that prosecution was not grounded in law and was reportedly instrumentalised for a political purpose," it said in the opinion, which was dated March 25 but only made public on Monday.

The working group, made up of five independent experts, whose opinions are not binding but carry reputational weight, called on Pakistan's government to "take the steps necessary to remedy the situation of Mr. Khan without delay and bring it into conformity with the relevant international norms".

"The appropriate remedy would be to release Mr Khan immediately and accord him an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations, following international law," they added.

Khan's "detention had no legal basis and appears to have been intended to disqualify him from running for political office", the working group concluded.

Reporter: Awais Kiyani