ISLAMABAD: A spokesperson for UN Secretary General António Guterres said this week the chief wanted the political situation in Pakistan to evolve in a “much more positive way” when asked to comment on a UN human rights group declaring Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s detention arbitrary and in violation of international law.
The Geneva-based UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on Monday called for Khan’s immediate release, saying his legal woes were part of a “much larger campaign of repression” against him and his Pakistan Tehree-e-Insaf (PTI) party. It said that in the lead up to the 2024 general elections, members of Khan’s party were arrested and tortured, and their rallies were disrupted. It also alleged “widespread fraud on election day, stealing dozens of parliamentary seats.”
The PTI founder has been in jail since August last year and was convicted in a number of cases ahead of the February 8 elections while other hearings continue. Khan and his party say the charges were politically motivated to thwart his return to power.
During a daily press briefing on Tuesday, Guterres spokesperson was asked if he supported the UN group’s recommendations.
“It’s a recommendation from an independent panel,” Stéphane Dujarric said. “We want to see the current political situation, the current situation of Mr.Khan, evolve in a much more positive way.”
The Pakistan government said on Tuesday Khan’s legal challenges were an “internal matter” and it was for Pakistani courts to enforce the country’s laws. 
Khan’s jail sentences in two cases about the illegal acquisition and sale of state gifts have been suspended recently and his conviction on charges of leaking state secrets overturned. However, Khan has remained in prison due to a conviction in another case in which a trial court ruled that his 2018 marriage was unlawful. He also faces a trial under anti-terrorism charges in connection with violence in May last year.
The cricketer-turned-politician came to power in 2018 and was ousted in 2022 after what is widely believed to be a falling out with Pakistan’s powerful military. He had alleged the US orchestrated his ouster in cahoots with the Pakistan army and his political rivals through a parliamentary no-confidence vote. All three deny the accusations.
Multiple legal cases were brought against Khan following his ouster and he was also disqualified as a candidate in February’s election. Despite not contesting the polls himself, Khan-backed candidates secured the highest number of seats but the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) managed to form a fragile coalition government.
The US, Britain and the European Union have urged a probe into the reported irregularities in the national elections held earlier this year while the UN general secretary has expressed concern about violence and the suspension of mobile communications services during the polls.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday emphasized continued engagement between the parliamentarians in his country with their counterparts in Tajikistan, highlighting their role in bringing the people of the two countries together in a meeting with the chairman of the lower house of Tajik parliament in Dushanbe.
The prime minister arrived in the Central Asian state on an official visit a day earlier on his way to Kazakhstan where he is scheduled to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.
The visit comes at a time when Pakistan is actively trying to enhance its role as a pivotal trade and transit hub connecting the landlocked Central Asian states with the rest of the world by offering them access to its ports on the Arabian Sea.
The prime minister also highlighted the “unlimited potential” for foreign investment in Pakistan’s key economic sectors while holding a meeting with Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon after arriving in Dushanbe.
“Chairman of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Lower House) of Majlisi Oli (Tajik Parliament) of the Republic of Tajikistan Mr. Zokirzoda Mahmadtoir Zoir called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Dushanbe, today,” said a statement released by the PM Office, adding the two leaders exchanged views on the current state of bilateral relations.
They expressed satisfaction at the inter-parliamentary cooperation between both countries and agreed to strengthen the already constituted Parliamentary Friendship Groups to further deepen bilateral ties.
“The Prime Minister emphasized that parliamentarians play a significant role in bringing the people of the two countries closer and strongly advocated for their sustained interaction and engagement,” the statement added.
Sharif also congratulated the Tajik official on the upcoming 30th anniversary of the constitution of his country.
The prime minister will conclude his two-day visit to Tajikistan before leaving for Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, to attend the SCO summit.