WASHINGTON: After the passage of HR 901 in the House of Representatives, PTI USA is working to convert the non-binding resolution into a binding bill, a party leader said. dawn.
Last week, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution (368-7) calling for an investigation into the February 8 elections and condemning widespread human rights violations in Pakistan.
The resolution drew a disappointing response in Islamabad, where it was condemned as “interference” by a counter resolution passed by the National Assembly last week.
PTI USA senior official Atif Khan acknowledged that as it stands, the resolution calling for an investigation into the February 8 election and condemning widespread human rights violations in Pakistan is not binding for the White House.
However, Khan said efforts are underway to turn the non-binding resolution into binding law.
“We are now seeking Senate approval for the House resolution,” Atif Khan said.
Khan also revealed that his party has been actively distributing copies of the UN committee report to US representatives and senators which said there was no legal basis for Imran Khan’s detention.
“We are also providing them with a statement from the UN spokesperson indicating that the UN Secretary-General is keen to see a more positive resolution to Imran Khan’s situation,” he added.
Atif Khan said organisations such as the Democratic Pakistan Doctors Association, which played a key role in passing the resolution, were now lobbying US senators for its approval.
He also said PTI’s lawyers were “considering the possibility of taking this matter to the International Criminal Court (ICC)” and found the recent UN statement on the issue “very encouraging.”
“Various Pakistani organisations in the UK and Europe are working with leading law firms to file a case at the ICC. A like-minded international group, mainly consisting of lawyers and solicitors, has been formed by the name Friends of Imran Khan Legal Aid Group,” he explained.
Published in Dawn on July 4, 2024
