US lawmaker slams political repression in Pakistan

Washington: US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi on Wednesday slammed "political repression" in Pakistan and demanded that Washington press for the release of former prime minister Imran Khan.

In a social media post, Krishnamoorthi slammed the US government for "continuing to embrace" Pakistan's military chief Asim Munir at a time when the government in Islamabad arrested opposition leaders and suspended an elected provincial government.

"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.


"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.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari declared a state of emergency on Sunday in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, suspending its elected government and imposing Governor's Rule.

Several members of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, including its provincial chief minister Sohail Afridi, have been arrested.