Joe Wilson representatives (Rs.C.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif). It called for the introduction of the “Pakistan Democracy Law” on Monday to sanction the country's army chiefs for “persecution of political enemies”, including former prime minister Imran Khan.
The hill has obtained a copy of the bill. This copy will sanction Pakistani military bosses within 180 days under the global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Violators can refusal to enter the US and reduce their eligibility for US visas.
The bipartisan law accused Pakistani military leader General Asim Munier of “involving intentionally false persecution and imprisonment of political enemies.” It also seeks to identify important individuals involved in this “persecution” and imposes a similar prohibition.
If “military rule has ended in Pakistan, rule of law has ended, and civil-led democracy has recovered,” and if “a political detainee who was mistakenly detained is released from detention,” it gives the President the authority to stop sanctions.
Wilson consistently called for the release of Khan, who was arrested in August 2023, and accused Pakistani troops of “unfair detention.”
“Khan is clearly a political prisoner,” Wilson told Hill, adding that President Trump “has put pressure on Pakistani military leaders via visas, urging them to restore democracy and free Khan.”
Congressional members on both sides of the aisle are seeking the release of Khan, who faced various charges after taking office in 2022.
Members and supporters of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Party have Expressed hope that The Trump administration will do so Rely on Pakistani leaders for Khan's release.
Trump has not publicly commented on Kern's imprisonment or expulsion.
However, Trump's “special mission envoy,” Richard Grenell, tweeted in support of the former prime minister.
A December post on Grenell's social platform X has expanded its support for Khan and received over 12 million views and was widely shared by Khan's supporters.
“Look at Pakistan” He said. “Their Trump-like leaders are in prison on false charges. People were inspired by the red waves of the United States. Stop political prosecution all over the world!”
However, although hopes for a pro-Khan stance from the president have been curtailed, a joint speech to Congress earlier this month thanked the Pakistani government for promoting the arrest of Islamic State (ISIS) members accused of planning a 2021 terrorist attack in Kabul, which killed American sellers.
Last week, U.S. State Department spokesman Tammy Bruce declined to comment on Kern's incarceration, saying the administration is not involved in internal issues in other countries.
Wilson believes Pakistan's cooperation in the arrest of ISIS suspects should be welcome, but the country should still be “encouraged” to maintain democratic values.
Others on Capitol Hill who demanded release of Khan include his representatives Greg Casal (D-Texas), Rashida Tribe (D-Mitch), Hailey Stevens (D-Mitch), Ilhan Omar (D-Mitch), Brad Sherman (D-Calif), RO Khanna (D-Calif.) (r-mich.), among others.
Hussain Hakkani, a former Pakistani envoy and a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, said it is unlikely that the US would spend limited leverage on Khan.
“It is unlikely that Pakistan will be subject to sanctions just to ensure the release of populist but anti-American politicians,” Hakkani said, referring to Khan's past anti-American attitudes.
Following his expulsion from power through a no-confidence vote in 2022, Khan argued that his removal as prime minister was the result of an “American conspiracy.” He condemned the subject of the time in order to work with the government of the time to overthrow the government.
The Biden administration has denied these claims..
Khan said at the time that the US had not taken power over him because of his anti-imperialist stance and independent foreign policy choices. His party's rally against his expulsion was featured Anti-American slogans And a chant about facing “foreign slavery” and protecting the sovereignty of the country.
Wilson said that not only his past anti-American statements but also his statements defending China are very different from Khan, saying he “refusing to take a strong stance against war detective Putin's illegal aggression of Ukraine.”
“But political differences should be addressed in the ballot box,” he added.
Michael Kugelman, South Asia director at the Washington, D.C.-based Wilson Centre, said he refused to release Khan and didn't expect the US to ultimately sanction Pakistan.
He then noted the particular irony of the pleas that came from Khan's camp.
“For many observers in DC, there's something deeply ironic about Khan's supporters condemning Khan's expulsion, calling for it and calling him to be saved,” Kugelman said.
“Khan's supporters argue that it is to “reverse the interference,” but in itself is a very partisan statement, assuming that the United States is conspiring to expel Karn,” he added.
Hakkani said the appeal from lawmakers was more about “constituency politics and response to donors” than anything related to Khan's politics.
“Some members of Congress don't know about Khan's track record. Some mistakenly described him as a friend of the United States.
Hill reached the Trump administration and the Pakistan Embassy for comments.
