UN rights body warns of ‘pattern of harassment’ against Imran Khan’s party ahead of election

By MUNIR AHMED and JAMEY KEATEN
Associated Press

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The United Nation’s top human rights body warned of a “pattern of harassment” against members of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party ahead of this week’s parliamentary election. During a news briefing in Geneva on Tuesday, Liz Throssell, spokesperson for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, urged Pakistani authorities to ensure a fully free and fair voting process. This came amid complaints by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party of harassment and the inability to hold rallies similar to the former ruling party and its candidate Nawaz Sharif.  Authorities have denied such claims. The balloting comes as Pakistan is mired in political feuding and an economic crisis.