‘DEMOCRACY ACT’: US bill seeks sanctions on top Pakistani leadership

United States (US) Congressman Joe Wilson announced on Thursday that he is drafting a bill to ban those in power in Pakistan responsible for the “wrongful” imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and human rights abuses.

In a statement on X, Wilson shared that the proposed legislation would target individuals within the Pakistani government involved in Khan’s “persecution and imprisonment.”

“I am grateful to share that I am drafting the PAKISTAN DEMOCRACY ACT to ban from the United States those in the Pakistan military government responsible for the wrongful persecution and imprisonment of Imran Khan,” he posted on X.

The congressman stressed that the draft of the Pakistan Democracy Act is in its initial stages and aims to hold accountable Pakistani officials who played a role in Khan’s legal battles and imprisonment.

Who is Joe Wilson?

U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson has urged Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership to release former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Wilson argued that Khan’s freedom would contribute to strengthening U.S.-Pakistan relations.  In a letter addressed to Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership, Wilson stated that freeing Khan “would be a major step towards strengthening U.S.-Pakistan relations.” The South Carolina Republican, who serves as Assistant Majority Whip, made his appeal public on February 7 by sharing the letter on X (formerly Twitter). “Grateful to send this letter today to the political and military leaders of Pakistan to free Imran Khan,” Wilson wrote. He emphasized […]

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Former PM Khan, who has been in jail since August 2023 on charges he claims are politically motivated, stated that he has written a third open letter to Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir, highlighting the alleged shrinking space for democracy in the country due to rights abuses and “rigging” of last year’s general election.

Tensions between Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and the army have remained high, especially after Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023, in a land graft case that sparked nationwide protests.