We seek positive changes in matters concerning Imran Khan, says António Guterres

A day after the United Nations Working Group released its report regarding the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that he desires positive changes in the situation concerning the PTI founder.

When asked during a press conference about supporting the UN group's recommendations for the immediate release of the PTI founder, the spokesperson for the UN Chief, Stéphane Dujarric, responded that those were the recommendations of an independent panel.

He added that they wish to see the current political situation, as well as Imran Khan's circumstances, evolve in a more positive manner.

Imran Khan has been serving a sentence in Adiala Jail for almost a year in a contempt case. His sentences in two Toshakhana cases were suspended, and the Islamabad High Court had also acquitted him in the cipher case.

In a report on Monday, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention stated that the cases against Imran Khan lacked legal basis and were politically motivated to sideline him from the political landscape.

The panel suggested that the appropriate resolution would be to release the former Prime Minister and compensate him.

This marks the second instance in a week of international disapproval regarding government actions against PTI and its founder. Previously, a resolution approved by the US called for a thorough investigation into alleged irregularities in the February 8 elections in Pakistan.

The government and its allies rejected the UN Working Group's recommendations regarding Imran Khan's detention, calling it a conspiracy against institutions.

In this regard, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, in a statement on Tuesday, dismissed the UN Working Group's recommendations, stating that the former Prime Minister's detention is an 'internal matter' of Pakistan.

He further added that the courts have taken legal action against the PTI founder in accordance with the constitution and prevailing laws.

Azam Nazeer Tarar emphasized that the PTI founder is entitled to all rights under the constitution, laws, and international principles, but at this time, he is a convicted prisoner serving his sentence.