Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Michigan Senate Nominee Backs Khan Release, Opposes US Aid
Abdul El-Sayed is running for the US Senate in Michigan.
He said Imran Khan, a former leader of Pakistan, should be released from prison.
El-Sayed called Pakistan’s government a military dictatorship.
He said people in Pakistan should have real democracy and human rights.
He also said the United States should stop giving financial aid to Pakistan and Egypt.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered Khan to be moved to a hospital.
Instead, authorities took him to a different hospital for a short examination and returned him to jail.
Khan’s political group said this did not follow the court’s order, while his sister said Khan reported being tortured.
Abdul El-Sayed, a Michigan Democratic Senate nominee, called for Imran Khan’s release at a Pakistan Association of America gathering in metro Detroit.
El-Sayed described Pakistan’s government as a military “dictatorship” and said democracy was not being allowed to take its place.
He argued that the United States should end financial aid to Pakistan and Egypt and should not shield allies from criticism.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered on August 18 that Khan be moved from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital within 48 hours.
Authorities instead took Khan to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for a brief examination on August 22, then returned him to prison, prompting PTI to challenge the government.
- Who
- Abdul El-Sayed, Imran Khan, Pakistan’s government, Pakistan’s Supreme Court, and PTI are central figures and institutions in the reports.
- What
- El-Sayed called for Khan’s release, criticized Pakistan’s government, and urged an end to US aid; separately, PTI challenged the government’s handling of a court-ordered medical transfer.
- When
- El-Sayed spoke at the Pakistan Association of America’s annual gathering; the Supreme Court order was issued August 18, and Khan’s examination occurred August 22.
- Where
- El-Sayed spoke in metro Detroit; Khan was held at Adiala Jail and examined at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad.
- Why
- El-Sayed said political intimidation, imprisonment, and the denial of democratic governance required international criticism and the restoration of human rights.
Critics and Khan Supporters
Authorities’ Reported Actions
Compliance with the court order
Critics and Khan Supporters
PTI said the government violated the Supreme Court’s order by taking Khan to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences instead of Shifa International Hospital and returning him to prison after tests.
Authorities’ Reported Actions
Authorities took Khan to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for a medical examination and returned him to jail; the reports do not provide the government’s explanation for that decision.
Khan’s treatment in custody
Critics and Khan Supporters
Khan’s sister said he told her he was being repeatedly and severely tortured in prison, and El-Sayed condemned the intimidation and imprisonment of political leaders.
Authorities’ Reported Actions
The reports state that authorities arranged a medical examination, but they do not include a response addressing the torture allegation.
US support for Pakistan
Critics and Khan Supporters
El-Sayed argued that the United States should not provide financial aid to or shield allied governments from criticism when human rights and democracy are at issue.
Authorities’ Reported Actions
No opposing statement from the US or Pakistan’s government on El-Sayed’s aid proposal is reported in the supplied articles.
- Political figure
- Abdul El-Sayed is a Michigan Democratic Senate nominee.
- Prisoner
- Imran Khan is a former Pakistani prime minister held at Adiala Jail.
- Court order
- Pakistan’s Supreme Court directed the government on August 18 to move Khan to Shifa International Hospital within 48 hours.
- Medical examination
- On August 22, Khan was taken to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for a brief examination and then returned to prison.
- Political response
- PTI moved the Supreme Court, alleging that authorities violated the transfer order.
- Family account
- Khan’s sister Uzma Khan said he appeared physically fit but told her he was repeatedly tortured in prison.
- US aid position
- El-Sayed called for ending US financial aid to Pakistan and Egypt.