Bill introduced in US House of Representatives to sanction Pakistani officials

A bill seeking to impose sanctions on Pakistani state officials was introduced in the US House of Representatives, citing alleged human rights violations, including the persecution of former prime minister Imran Khan.

Republican Congressman Joe Wilson from South Carolina and Democrat Jimmy Panetta from California posposed the bill named 'Pakistan Democra. It was referred to the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees of the House for further review.

The proposed legislation stated that if Pakistan fails to improve its human rights record, sanctions could be imposed on Pakistan’s military chief within 180 days. The bill seeks to invoke the US Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which empowers the US to deny visas and entry to individuals accused of human rights violations.

The draft also requested the US administration to pinpoint and sanction individuals believed to be responsible for the repression of political dissent in Pakistan.

The bill would grant the US president discretionary authority to lift these sanctions if Pakistan ceases military intervention in governance and releases all "wrongfully detained political prisoners."

Read: Imran Khan writes second letter to COAS, says PTI being 'targeted'

The draft legislation highlights the continued lobbying efforts of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters in the US, who have been pressuring lawmakers since Imran Khan’s ouster in 2022. 

The Pakistani embassy in Washington has so far declined to comment on the bill or outline any countermeasures against the latest move.

However, political analysts believe the bill is unlikely to lead to concrete action against Islamabad, as Pakistan remains a key US security partner. 

Read more: US Congressman writes "free Imran Khan" on X after meeting Mohsin Naqvi

Recent counterterrorism cooperation, including Pakistan’s role in capturing and deporting an ISIS terrorist, has strengthened bilateral security ties.

Last month, Congressmen Joe Wilson and August Pfluger sent a letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging US intervention to "restore democracy" in Pakistan. Wilson also wrote a similar letter to President Donald Trump, warning that Khan’s imprisonment could affect US strategic interests.

Additionally, several members of Congress from both parties have publicly called for Khan’s release, including Greg Casar, Rashida Tlaib, Haley Stevens, Ilhan Omar, Brad Sherman, Ro Khanna, August Pfluger, and Jack Bergman.