ISLAMABAD: Over 60 Democratic lawmakers from the US House of Representatives on Wednesday urged President Joe Biden in a letter to secure the release of all political prisoners in Pakistan, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been in jail since his arrest in August last year.

Khan has faced a slew of charges since the downfall of his administration in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022, with authorities trying him on charges ranging from treason to corruption and contracting an illegal marriage.

The ex-premier and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have maintained that all charges against him are fabricated to keep him out of national politics.

US Representatives Greg Casar, Jim McGovern and Summer Lee, along with 59 other Members of Congress, urged President Biden to take stock of the situation in Pakistan, calling for human rights to be the central pillar of American policy toward the country.

“We write today to urge you to use the United States’ substantial leverage with Pakistan’s government to secure the release of political prisoners including former Prime Minister Khan and curtail widespread human rights abuses,” the US lawmakers wrote in the letter.

They also criticized the last general elections in Pakistan held earlier this year in February, saying they had witnessed “a historic level of irregularities” and set the country on a path toward “authoritarianism.”

“The government has intensified its crackdown on social media and the internet as part of a broader effort to suppress political activism, which it deems to be ‘anti-state propaganda’ and ‘digital terrorism,’” said the letter.

“These repressive measures are not only an attack on fundamental human rights, but they also damage Pakistan's growing IT industry and further weaken the economy, with one industry group estimating that it could cost the sector $300 million,” it added.

US Representative Casar, who spearheaded the initiative to write the letter, said it marked the first such collective call from multiple members of the US Congress for the release of Khan, who had had testy relations with Washington as a long standing critic of US foreign policy.

The American lawmakers also asked the Biden administration to secure guarantees from Pakistan for Khan’s safety and and urge US embassy officials to visit him in prison.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top diplomat in Saudi Arabia and expatriates this week welcomed and expressed support for the Saudi “Global Harmony Initiative,” stressing it would play a key role in fostering understanding and unity among diverse communities residing in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia unveiled its Global Harmony Initiative last week, which is aimed at celebrating the diverse nationalities and cultures of residents through exploring their lives, contributions and cultural integration. 

The initiative, a collaboration between the Quality of Life government program, Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority and the Ministry of Media, will feature events during Riyadh Season showcasing the cuisines, cultures, and heritage of countries like Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and more.

Pakistanis are the second-largest expatriate community in the Kingdom, with reportedly over 2.5 million living and working in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom remains the top source of remittances for the South Asian country. 

“The Global Harmony Initiative will play an important role in fostering understanding and unity among the diverse expatriate communities in Saudi Arabia,” Ahmad Farooq, Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, told Arab News on Wednesday. 

Farooq noted the initiative offers a valuable platform, especially for the Pakistani community, to share its rich cultural heritage and highlight its significant contributions to the Kingdom.

“The Global Harmony Initiative is a significant step toward acknowledging the vital role expatriates play in Saudi society,” he added.

He said Pakistanis, as the second-largest expatriate group in the Kingdom, have a “unique opportunity” to highlight their professional achievements, family values and cultural integration. 

Farooq added that the Global Harmony Initiative not only promotes inclusivity but also strengthens the bonds between different communities to enhance the overall fabric of Saudi society.

He encouraged Pakistani expatriates to actively participate in the initiative and showcase their stories and contributions for a brighter, more harmonious future.

‘EXCELLENT STEP FORWARD’

Pakistani expatriates from all walks of life welcomed the initiative, saying it will provide them opportunities to engage with diverse cultures while also promoting their own.

“It is indeed a great initiative, as we will not only experience the diverse cultures of various expatriate communities but also have the chance to introduce the richness of Pakistani culture to others,” Muhammad Naveed, a Pakistani engineer in Riyadh, told Arab News.

He said the initiative would serve as a bridge to foster stronger ties between expatriates and the Saudi community.

“It is an excellent step forward and we are excited to become part of this during this Riyadh Season,” he said. 

Zainab Zahoor, a Pakistani expatriate who lives in Riyadh with her family, described the initiative as a wonderful opportunity for the community to connect and integrate with others. 

“As a Pakistani expatriate living in Riyadh, I believe the Global Harmony Initiative allows us to showcase the richness of Pakistani culture while building stronger connections with other expatriate groups and Saudi society,” she told Arab News.

Zahoor said the initiative creates a sense of unity and appreciation among diverse communities.

“It is now up to the Pakistani mission and community to fully utilize this opportunity to showcase our culture and highlight our contributions to Saudi society,” she said.

Muhammad Ahmed, a Pakistani who works for a multinational company in Jeddah, described the initiative as a “vital step” toward fostering mutual understanding.

“Saudi Arabia is home to millions of expatriates from various countries, with significant populations from Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh,” Ahmed noted. 

“These communities can foster deeper connections as they share a common regional background and cultural ties from their home countries.”

He said the platform offers Pakistanis a chance to engage with other communities in the Kingdom so that they can build lasting relationships and promote a spirit of unity.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share strong trade, defense, and cultural ties. Both nations have been actively working to enhance bilateral trade and investment agreements. 

Recently, the Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to expedite a $5 billion investment package and private companies from both countries signed deals exceeding $2 billion during a visit by a Saudi business delegation to Islamabad earlier this month.