US Lawmakers Demand Action Over Human Rights Violations in Pakistan

A group of 44 United States lawmakers has called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to impose immediate sanctions on senior officials in Pakistan, specifically targeting the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir. In a bipartisan letter released on Wednesday, the legislators highlighted what they describe as an escalating campaign of transnational repression and a deteriorating human rights situation in Pakistan.

The lawmakers are advocating for visa bans and asset freezes against officials allegedly orchestrating threats against US citizens and residents who have voiced criticism of Pakistan’s military and government. The letter states that in recent years, US citizens and residents speaking out against authoritarian practices in Pakistan have experienced threats, harassment, and intimidation, often directed towards their families back in Pakistan. The intimidation tactics reportedly include arbitrary detentions, coercion, and retaliatory violence, particularly targeting individuals within the diaspora community.

The letter emphasises that the issue extends beyond mere harassment of critics abroad. It states, “This authoritarian system in Pakistan is sustained through relentless repression. Opposition leaders are detained without charges, denied fair trials, and subjected to indefinite pretrial detention. Independent journalists face harassment, abduction, or are forced into exile. Ordinary citizens are arrested over social media posts, while women, religious minorities, and marginalised ethnic groups—especially in Balochistan—endure disproportionate violence and surveillance.”

In addition to expressing concern over the treatment of dissenters, the lawmakers pointed to the controversial 2024 elections as a key indicator of the country's democratic decline. They cited the Pattan Report, an independent study that documented election irregularities, stating that the elections resulted in the installation of a compliant civilian government facade. The US State Department has also echoed these concerns, calling for a thorough investigation into the electoral process due to the reported irregularities.

The congressional group has urged the US administration to take decisive action, pressing for the release of political prisoners, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated on corruption charges. The lawmakers contend that imposing sanctions on officials responsible for systematic repression would not only safeguard American citizens abroad but also reaffirm the United States’ commitment to human rights and the rule of law.

In their concluding remarks, the lawmakers stated, “We urge the Administration to swiftly impose measures, such as visa bans and asset freezes, against officials credibly perpetrating systematic repression, transnational repression, and undermining judicial independence. Such steps, alongside calls for the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and other political prisoners, would reinforce US commitment to human rights, protect American citizens from transnational repression, and promote regional stability.”