The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan has dismissed a bill presented at the United States Congress addressed to Pakistan, qualifying it as an isolated act that does not represent the general state of bilateral relations.
“We are aware of the bill presented at the United States Congress. It reflects the opinion of an individual and not of the broader ties of the United States-Pakistan,” the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shafqat Ali Khan, said on Thursday during an informative session of the weekly press on Thursday.
He expressed the hope that the United States Legislature takes measures to strengthen relations between the two countries, despite the bill.
Khan also criticized the recent US sanctions to Pakistani commercial entities, describing them unilateral and without evidence.
When commenting on the issue of Pakistani journalists who supposedly visit Israel, Khan reiterated that Pakistani passport holders are legally prohibited by traveling to Israel. “There has been no change in Pakistan’s policy,” he added, clarifying that these visits were made by Dual Nationals.
In the conflict of Russia-Ukraine, the spokesman welcomed the recent agreement of Alto El Fuego, expressing the hope that he will lead to lasting peace.
He pointed out that Pakistan maintains good relations with both countries and constantly advocates dialogue.
Regarding the recent diplomatic commitments, Khan said that Sadiq Khan’s visit to Afghanistan included high -level discussions on cross -border issues, including rail connections and border infrastructure.
Previously, 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.”
