Overview
- Michigan Democratic nominee Abdul El‑Sayed made the remarks at a Pakistan Association of America event in Southfield on Monday, sharply criticizing the role of Pakistan’s military in politics.
- He said “democracy is not being allowed” to take hold in Pakistan and drew a parallel to Egypt’s military rule to argue against shielding allied governments from scrutiny.
- El‑Sayed publicly urged the release and humane treatment of former prime minister Imran Khan, citing concerns raised after the Supreme Court ordered Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital on August 18.
- Pakistan’s government says it complied by taking Khan for a medical exam at a state hospital and has blamed Khan’s party and family for contempt and disruption during the transfer.
- The intervention adds a foreign‑policy dimension to El‑Sayed’s narrow primary victory, risks energizing opponents on electability and will resonate with Michigan’s South Asian and Muslim‑American voters.