A bipartisan bill introduced in the US Congress on Monday seeking to impose sanctions on Pakistan's Army chief, General Asim Munir, for his alleged role in persecuting political opponents, including former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, The Hill reported.
The legislation, titled the "Pakistan Democracy Act," was introduced by Reps. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and calls for targeted sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
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The bill mandates that within 180 days, the US government identify individuals involved in political persecution in Pakistan and impose penalties, including visa bans and restrictions on entry into the United States. It explicitly accuses Munir of "knowingly engaging in the wrongful persecution and imprisonment of political opponents" and urges similar action against others complicit in the crackdown.
Wilson has been vocal about his stance on Khan's imprisonment, which he describes as politically motivated. "Mr. Khan is clearly a political prisoner," Wilson told The Hill, reiterating that he had urged the US administration to pressure Pakistan's military leadership through visa bans and other means to restore democracy and secure Khan's release. The bill allows for the removal of sanctions if Pakistan ends military rule, restores civilian-led democracy, and releases all detained political figures.
Khan, who was removed from office in 2022 through a no-confidence vote, was arrested in August 2023 on corruption charges. His supporters alleged that the charges are politically motivated and orchestrated by the military to prevent his return to power. Lawmakers from both major US parties have repeatedly called for his release, including Reps. Greg Casar (D-Texas), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), and Jack Bergman (R-Mich.)