Highlights:
US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi criticized Pakistan’s political situation on Wednesday (14), and called on Washington to press for the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The Illinois Democrat accused the Trump administration of continuing to engage with Pakistan’s military chief, Asim Munir, while opposition leaders were being arrested and an elected provincial government was suspended.
His remarks come amid political upheaval in Pakistan, where president Asif Ali Zardari declared a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday, suspending the elected provincial government and imposing Governor’s Rule.
Krishnamoorthi criticizes Trump administration
In a social media post, Krishnamoorthi questioned the US government’s engagement with Munir amid the developments in Pakistan.
“As Pakistan's government arrests opposition leaders and suspends an elected provincial government, President Trump continues to embrace its military chief,” the Democratic lawmaker from Illinois said.
He argued that Washington should support the Pakistani people rather than engage with officials amid allegations of political repression.
“The United States should stand with the Pakistani people, not enable political repression. We must press for the release of political prisoners, including Imran Khan,” Krishnamoorthi said.
His comments put the spotlight on the relationship between Washington and Pakistan’s military leadership, as concerns over opposition arrests and political freedoms continue to draw attention.
Imran Khan’s party faces arrests
Several members of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have been arrested, including provincial Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, according to the report.
The developments have intensified scrutiny of the political situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province where Khan’s party has held power. The suspension of its elected government and the imposition of Governor’s Rule represent a major change in the province’s administration.
Khan, Pakistan’s former prime minister, remains a central figure in the country’s political conflict. Krishnamoorthi specifically called for his release alongside other people he described as political prisoners.
Washington faces calls to take a position
Krishnamoorthi’s statement raises questions about how the United States should approach its relationship with Pakistan’s military leadership while political opponents face arrests.
The congressman’s criticism centers on the contrast between the Trump administration’s engagement with Munir and the actions taken against opposition figures in Pakistan.
He called for Washington to use its position to press for the release of political prisoners rather than continue its engagement without addressing the crackdown.
The statement does not, by itself, establish what further steps the US administration will take. It does, however, underline the political pressure facing Washington over its dealings with Pakistan as developments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the treatment of opposition leaders remain in focus.
