“As an independent state in Pakistan, the Constitution and prevailing laws are followed by the courts,” he was quoted as saying in a statement shared by the PTV News on social media.

Khan’s detention is arbitrary and in violation of international law, a UN human rights working group said in an opinion issued on Monday, adding the jailed politician should be released immediately.

The Geneva-based UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention said that the “appropriate remedy would be to release Mr. Khan immediately and accord him an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations, in accordance with international law.”

The UN working group said Khan’s legal woes were part of a “much larger campaign of repression” against him and his Pakistan Tehree-e-Insaf (PTI) party. It said that in the lead up to the 2024 elections, members of Khan’s party were arrested and tortured and their rallies were disrupted. It also alleged “widespread fraud on election day, stealing dozens of parliamentary seats.”

According to the law minister, the PTI founder was in the jail as a convicted prisoner. “He had all rights as per the Constitution of Pakistan and laws.”