The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday dismissed concerns over a bipartisan bill in the US House of Representatives calling for sanctions on Pakistani state officials, stating that it does not reflect the “current positive dynamics” of Pakistan-US relations.
The proposed legislation, titled the “Pakistan Democracy Act,” was introduced by Republican Congressman Joe Wilson and Democrat Jimmy Panetta, citing alleged human rights violations, including the treatment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
If passed, it would impose sanctions on Pakistan’s army chief within 180 days unless steps are taken to improve human rights. The bill also seeks to penalize individuals involved in suppressing political opposition, leveraging the US Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
Responding to the bill during a weekly press briefing, FO Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan downplayed its significance, calling it an initiative of a “single individual legislator.”
He emphasized that it must pass multiple committees in Congress and the Senate before becoming law. Khan reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to democracy, human rights, and non-interference in domestic affairs, expressing hope that US lawmakers would prioritize strengthening bilateral ties over such measures.
The bill’s introduction highlights ongoing lobbying efforts by PTI supporters in the US, who have been advocating for American intervention in Pakistan’s political affairs since Imran Khan’s ouster in 2022.
