LONDON, Nov 17: In response to concerns raised by British MPs regarding the imprisonment of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in a letter to a Labour MP issued a detailed statement, saying there is "no indication" that Mr Khan will be tried in military courts.
The letter was made public by PTI's Syed Zulfi Bukhari on Saturday, who hailed the development and told Dawn that Mr Lammy's response signalled the UK government's values that "any valid democracy cannot have military courts".
In the one-page letter dated Nov 11, the foreign secretary addressed Labour MP Kim Johnson of Liverpool Riverside, saying: "While Pakistan's judicial processes are a domestic matter, we have been very clear that the Pakistani authorities need to act in line with their international obligations and with respect for fundamental freedoms, including the right to a fair trial, due process and humane detention."
Mr Lammy added: "This applies to Imran Khan as it does to all Pakistan's citizens." He also expressed concern over restrictions on freedoms in Pakistan, emphasising the importance of democratic principles and the rule of law and also said the UK continues to engage at senior levels with the Pakistan government on such critical matters. —DAWN
