Pakistani parliamentarians condemn U.S. Congressmen support for PTI founder

Pakistani parliamentarians have voiced strong objections to a recent letter from 62 U.S. representatives expressing support for the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). In a formal response addressed to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, lawmakers described the U.S. correspondence as interference in the country’s internal affairs, highlighting concerns over efforts to undermine the political process and state institutions.

The letter has elicited significant backlash from 160 members of various political parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP). These lawmakers criticised the U.S. representatives’ actions, asserting that they amount to unwarranted meddling in Pakistan’s domestic matters.

In their response, parliamentarians pointed out that the PTI founder incited violence during the riots on May 9, 2023, when he allegedly urged mobs to attack key government buildings. They emphasised that the Prime Minister should update U.S. Congress members about the serious democratic challenges Pakistan faces due to extremist politics. The lawmakers disagreed with Congress members’ views on the February 2024 elections, stating that these elections are recognised worldwide as free and fair. They accused the PTI of trying to harm the electoral process and criticised U.S. representatives for commenting on ongoing legal cases, which they believe interfere with the judicial system.

The letter also referenced the PTI founder’s previous disruptive political activities in August 2014 and May 2022, as well as his use of social media to promote unrest. Notably, they condemned the U.S. support for an individual who has faced legal issues, including denial of paternity in a Los Angeles court, and who is currently incarcerated under proven corruption charges.