Universal Justice Network

5 JULY 2023

PRESS RELEASE – PAKISTAN: Universal Justice Network in appeal to Pakistan army chief

The Universal Justice Network has written to the chief of Pakistan’s armed forces urging him to cease interfering in the country’s democratic process to restore political stability and bring prosperity to the beleaguered nation.

In the letter, signed by over two dozen prominent Muslim individuals and organisations, mainly from Asia, UJN calls on the General Asim Munir to halt the campaign of intimidation and harassment against the ousted former prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, and his supporters.

The letter accuses Munir of seeking to “hollow out” Tehreek-I-Insaaf (Movement for Justice) ahead of general elections this autumn which the party is widely predicted to win comfortably.

In its attempt to prevent a Khan party victory, the army has taken to arresting journalists, filing false charges against them and shutting down media channels.

It has also clashed head on with the judiciary by arrogantly disregarding court orders and accusing parts of the institution of siding with Khan.

Instead of fulfilling its role as the defender of the nation the army is playing kingmaker in seeking to secure its choice of government in the upcoming polls, paralysing the political process and preventing the real issues of the day being addressed.

“We have a country ridden with political corruption, abuse of power, vulgar opulence of the rich amidst the grinding poverty of the poor, violence and extremism…The country needs political stability more than anything else, and it cannot be achieved by the armed forces elite backing certain groups and suppressing others.” states the letter.

It ends by urging General Munir to stop the persecution of the former prime minister Imran Khan and his followers, drop the charges against them and facilitate the conditions for holding a free and fair general election due within six months.

The full letter can be read here.

(ENDS)

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