ISLAMABAD

More than 60 US urged President Joe Biden to pressure Pakistan to release all political prisoners, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a move Islamabad criticized.

In a letter addressed to Biden, the lawmakers expressed concerns Wednesday about the human rights situation in the South Asian country and said elections held earlier this year saw a "historic level of irregularities."

They included “widespread electoral fraud, state-led efforts to disenfranchise voters in support of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice or PTI) party, the arrest and detention of large numbers of political leaders, journalists, and activists, and the continued imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan," it said.

The PTI also accused the Election Commission of Pakistan of rigging and changing results -- a charge the agency rejected and called false allegations.

The lawmakers urged Biden to use the US’ substantial leverage with Pakistan’s government to secure the release of political prisoners, including Khan, and curtail alleged human rights abuses.

"What accounts for the delay in announcing visa bans and/or asset freezes for Pakistani elites engaged in human rights abuses, and what is the timeline for these decisions," the lawmakers asked.

They also sought action from the US against Pakistani officials who violated democratic principles and human rights.

Islamabad says letter ‘counter-productive’

Islamabad termed the letter and comments on Pakistan’s domestic affairs contrary to inter-state conduct and diplomatic norms.

“Pakistan values its bilateral relations with the United States. We believe in constructive dialogue and engagement to address any concern. However, comments on Pakistan's domestic affairs are contrary to inter-state conduct and diplomatic norms,“ Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told reporters in Islamabad.

“We believe such letters and statements are counterproductive and not in line with positive dynamics of Pakistan-US bilateral relations,“ she said.

The letter, and other pressure from international groups, she added, are also based on an “incorrect” understanding of the political situation in Pakistan.

“We hope that the US Congress will play a supportive role in strengthening Pakistan-US ties and focus on avenues of mutual collaboration that benefit both our peoples and countries,” said Baloch.

Khan, 72, is jailed in Rawalpindi and seeking bail in multiple cases ranging from corruption to terrorism, all of which he denies.

Pakistani courts have already set aside two of his convictions and suspended a third. His party accused the government of imposing a ban on Khan's meetings with his lawyers and family members since Oct. 3.

The former cricket star was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2022.