Supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in the United States are seeking a congressional delegation visit to Pakistan to share their experiences and urge the Biden administration to take a strong stance on Imran Khan’s arrest.
According to Atif Khan, a California Democrat and the PTI chairman’s adviser for overseas Pakistanis, they have approached members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee to request a visit to Pakistan. The PTI supporters are disappointed that the Biden administration has chosen not to comment on the political situation in Pakistan, considering it an internal matter.
Since former prime minister Imran Khan’s ouster in April 2022, the Biden administration has refrained from expressing an opinion on his August 5 conviction and subsequent arrest. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that while the United States has commented on some cases around the world, it has not made a determination on Imran Khan’s case.
The PTI supporters in the US feel discouraged by this statement and believe that a congressional delegation visit to Pakistan could help change the administration’s position. Atif Khan is optimistic that the administration’s policy will eventually change and that the visit could play a significant role in that change.
However, Tahir Javed, another influential Pakistani from Texas, believes that the Biden administration is not likely to change its position in the near future. He noticed a lack of interest in the current political situation in Pakistan among guests and hosts at a recent White House reception.
Despite differing opinions, Michael Kugelman, a US scholar of South Asian affairs, believes that Imran Khan and the PTI party will remain politically relevant. He noted the party’s recent victory in a Peshawar by-election and emphasized that politics is a long-term game.
Kugelman acknowledged that in the past, parties and leaders have faced setbacks and imprisonments but have managed to return. He believes that the military’s actions and the willingness of the remaining party leadership to reconcile with the military will have a significant impact on the party’s future.
In conclusion, PTI supporters in the US are working towards a congressional delegation visit to Pakistan to advocate for Imran Khan’s release and to influence the Biden administration’s stance on the political situation in the country. The differing opinions on the administration’s position and the future of the PTI party highlight the uncertainty surrounding the country’s political landscape.