Hundreds of Pakistani Americans congregated outside the White House on Sunday, despite the freezing temperatures and biting winds, to demand that the government cease its actions against Imran Khan.
Junaid Bashir, a senior PTI leader in Virginia, stated, “We are here to draw attention to the deteriorating human rights situation in Pakistan and the threat to democracy.” We want the government to cease intimidating Imran Khan forthwith.
Akbar Chaudhary, who has worked with Mr. Khan since the 1990s, stated that the current leadership in Islamabad poses a threat to Pakistan and must be removed immediately.
Kamran Rizvi, a stalwart of the PPP, stated that he had to “speak up” because “it would be criminal” not to condemn the recent events. What we have witnessed in recent days is not politics. It constitutes an assault on democracy and democratic values.”
The protesters included a significant number of females.
“The establishment must recognize its error,” said PTI leader Khalid Tanvir.
Also a PTI leader, Mazhar Lillah added, “Now is the time for the establishment to recognize civilian supremacy.”
A statement distributed at the meeting urged the international community to take action by urging the Pakistani government to immediately stop “violations” of fundamental human rights, end “custodial torture” by security agencies, hold free and fair elections in Punjab and KP, stop the victimization of political opponents through arrests and false charges, withdraw all politically motivated cases, stop restricting press freedom, and stop subjecting peaceful protesters to arbitrary detention.
