Two US legislators have introduced a bipartisan bill in the House of Representatives seeking sanctions against Pakistani state officials for alleged human rights violations, including the “persecution” of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, according to US media.
The bill, entitled The Law of Democracy of Pakistan, was presented by Republican Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina and Democratic congressman Jimmy Panetta de California. It has been sent to the Foreign and Judicial Affairs Committees of the House of Representatives for review.
The proposed legislation requires that sanctions be imposed on the Head of the Army of Pakistan within 180 days if the country does not take measures to improve its human rights situation.
The bill aims to invoke the Global Law on the Human Rights of Magnitsky Magnitsky in the United States, which allows the United States to deny visas and entry to people accused of committing human rights violations.
It also orders the United States government to identify and sanction people allegedly involved in the suppression of political opposition in Pakistan.
The president would be granted authority to raise sanctions if Pakistan ends military interference in civil governance and releases all “unjustly detained politicians.”
The presentation of the bill reflects the persistent efforts of PTI supporters in the US, who have remained active in the lobbying of US legislators since Imran Khan was expelled from power in 2022.
In the last three years, activists have continued to organize demonstrations, interacting with members of Congress and advocate greater participation of the United States in Pakistan’s political developments.
In June 2024, the United States Representatives Chamber adopted a similar resolution with strong bipartisan support: 98 percent voting in their favor.
That resolution asked the then President Joe Biden to encourage Pakistan to safeguard democratic values and the rule of law. Despite this, the Biden administration refrains from taking any action.
