Lord Sikka
Main Page: Lord Sikka (Labour - Life peer)
Lord Sikka (Lab)
My Lords, I thank my noble friend Lady Alexander of Cleveden for securing this important debate. I never had the honour of meeting Imran Khan but, like millions of other cricket fans, I am grateful for the pleasure that he has given us over so many years.
Ever since independence, Pakistan has sought to embrace democracy, but military chiefs have always lurked in the background. No Prime Minister has completed a full five-year term in office. This democratic deficit has had a negative effect on its economy, social stability, foreign investment, standard of living and security. Khan sought to turn the leaf and make a new start. He became Prime Minister in 2018 with support from the military chiefs. This was effectively a power-sharing agreement. The relationship with the military subsequently soured. In 2020, he was removed through a no-confidence vote in Parliament, which many say was orchestrated by the military chiefs.
In 2023, he was charged with corruption, treason and illegal marriage. He has denied all such charges. On several occasions, one of Pakistan’s high courts acquitted him. Each acquittal was followed by a barrage of new charges. The generals then installed new judges and, eventually, got the convictions they wanted. In 2024, his wife, Bushra Bibi, was also imprisoned.
Khan is seen now by many as a political prisoner. He has been incarcerated in a tiny cell in solitary confinement and denied access to newspapers and books. His family and friends have not always been able to visit him. His sons have been denied visas to see him. His sisters have occasionally seen him but under strict supervision. His health has deteriorated, and he has been denied appropriate and timely medical care. He has a loss of eyesight, which the authorities have allegedly ignored for years.
Taking a leaf from a recent open letter issued by former international cricket captains, I urge Pakistan’s Government to provide Khan with at least three things: first, immediate, adequate and ongoing medical attention from qualified specialists, of Khan’s choosing, to address his reported health issues; secondly, are humane and dignified conditions of detention in line with international standards, including regular visits by close family and friends; and, thirdly, fair and transparent access to legal processes without undue delay or hindrance.
One must now fear for Khan’s life. Four of his predecessors have died from unnatural causes, one executed by a military ruler. If Khan were to receive humane treatment, it could start a new chapter of reconciliation, peace, compassion and freedom in Pakistan. It could end the vicious cycle where one set of rulers seeks revenge on the previous ones and help facilitate economic and social development.
The UK Government pride themselves on being champions of democracy and human rights and have condemned political imprisonments in China, Iran, Russia, North Korea and elsewhere. However, their response to Khan’s imprisonment has been muted. They need to rise above the weight of arms and trade deals. Pakistan is a member of the Commonwealth and receives financial aid from the UK. It is a member of the United Nations and its Human Rights Council. The UK Government must use these and other platforms to urge the Pakistani authorities to treat Khan with dignity and compassion. He is now old, sick and frail, and he should be allowed to spend what is left of his life with his family and friends.