Former UK Minister for the Commonwealth Lord Zac Goldsmith has urged the Commonwealth Secretary-General to make representations to the government of Pakistan regarding former Prime Minister and founder of PTI Imran Khan.
In a letter to Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey, Goldsmith said that the Commonwealth Charter commits member states to democracy, human rights, the rule of law, good governance and the separation of powers.
He argued that these principles “have meaning only if the Commonwealth is prepared to defend them” when they come under serious pressure in a member state.
In his post on X, he wrote, “I said, ‘The Commonwealth Charter commits its members to democracy, human rights, the rule of law, good governance. And the separation of powers. Those principles have meaning only if the Commonwealth is prepared to defend them. When they come under serious pressure within a member state’.”
Goldsmith also shared the response he received from the Commonwealth Secretariat, dated September 2, 2026.
How did Commonwealth Secretary-General respond?
In the response, Botchwey said the Secretariat takes reports concerning governance, democratic practices, human rights and the rule of law across Commonwealth countries seriously.
“Thank you for your email of 22 August 2026 concerning former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan. And the values enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter,” the letter read.
“The Commonwealth Secretariat takes all reports seriously. And correspondence it receives relating to matters of governance, democratic practice, human rights and the rule of law across the Commonwealth. And we note the concerns expressed in your communication,” it added.
“Please be assured that the Commonwealth Secretariat remains committed to working with all member countries. In support of the principles and values set out in the Commonwealth Charter,” it read.
“In this regard, we continue to engage constructively with Pakistan. As we do with all Commonwealth member states, in promoting and upholding our shared commitments,” it added further.
“As a former Minister for the Commonwealth. I recognise this for what it is- code for saying “we are doing absolutely nothing,” Goldsmith said. He described the response as “frankly, a disgrace.”