The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has criticized Western politicians and commentators who have called for the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, labeling them as proponents of Israel.
On its official account on X (formerly Twitter), PML-N reshared a post from Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which highlighted international support for Khan’s release. PTI’s post read:
“More and more global voices are being raised for the release of Imran Khan, who is in arbitrary and politically motivated detention in false and fabricated cases. Influential voices around the world are saying: FREE IMRAN KHAN!”
In response, PML-N commented:
“They all have one thing in common: they are pro-Israel and want their asset, Khan, to be saved.”
Growing International Attention on Imran Khan’s Detention
Imran Khan, currently held in Adiala Jail, faces numerous charges, including corruption and inciting violence. His detention has drawn criticism from several Western politicians, including members of the U.S. Congress and the UK Parliament. The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a resolution advocating for his release, and the UK Parliament conducted a hearing on the matter.
Khan’s supporters argue that his incarceration is politically motivated, with PTI emphasizing that global voices view his detention as unjust and arbitrary.
Allegations of Foreign Ties
PML-N has long accused Imran Khan and PTI of seeking foreign backing, particularly from pro-Israel entities. These accusations intensified after Khan’s former brother-in-law, known for his pro-Israel stance, publicly supported him. Furthermore, an Israeli news outlet previously suggested that Khan could potentially influence Pakistan’s stance on normalizing ties with Israel—an issue that remains highly sensitive in the country.
However, Imran Khan has repeatedly denied such allegations. He has consistently condemned Israeli aggression in Gaza and reaffirmed Pakistan’s historical stance against recognizing Israel.
Political Fallout
The accusations by PML-N underline the deep divisions in Pakistani politics, where foreign affiliations and ideological alliances are often weaponized to undermine political rivals. While international support for Khan continues to grow, his opponents are leveraging this as evidence of foreign interference in Pakistan’s domestic politics.
As the debate intensifies, the narrative of foreign influence is likely to further polarize public opinion in Pakistan.
