Trump will not call for Imran Khan's release, says Khawaja Asif

Islamabad: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that Donald Trump will not call for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan's release from prison after he takes the office.

Talking to a private news channel, he said that government didn’t think Trump will call for PTI founder's release. “Let's wait for 15 to 20 days and see what stand he takes," he said.

Following Trump's victory, Khan congratulated the US president-elect, saying that he will be good for "Pak-US relations based on mutual respect for democracy and human rights".

The incarcerated prime minister said that his party hopes Trump will push for peace, human rights and democracy globally.

On other hand, Opposition leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan also extended congratulations to Trump and his VP-elect JD Vance on winning the polls.

The felicitations come at a time when the party's founder remains imprisoned for over a year following convictions in multiple cases.

During his tenure as prime minister of Pakistan, Khan shared amicable ties with Trump administration — a reason why the PTI celebrates the US president-elect's return to power as a potential advantage.