In a post on Twitter, Lee said he was concerned about reports of “human rights abuses in Pakistan and the lack of adequate protection of those who peacefully oppose the government.”
Expressing that he is particularly concerned about the arrest of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, Lee described what is happening in the country as “a blatant injustice”.
Lee said he would petition President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken to demand that they insist on an end to human rights abuses against the opposition and others, improve US-Pakistani relations, and support a democratic Pakistan.
Khan’s arrest and protests
At least 10 people were killed in the protests that started after the arrest of former Prime Minister Khan on 9 May due to the case in which he was accused of corruption in Pakistan.
Many private and public properties were damaged during the demonstrations, and police vehicles were set on fire. Military institutions in different cities, including the General Staff in Rawalpindi, were also targeted during the protests.
On May 11, the Constitutional Court ruled that Han’s arrest was illegal and ordered his immediate release. Khan was released on bail on May 12.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Rana Sanaullah, said in a statement on May 26 that 33 civilians were handed over to the armed forces to be tried in military courts for alleged involvement in violence in the demonstrations that started after Khan’s arrest.