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44 MPs of the US Parliament on Wednesday wrote a letter to Foreign Minister Marco Rubio demanding immediate sanctions on Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir.
Lawmakers allege that under the leadership of Pakistan’s military-backed government, large-scale human rights violations are taking place in the country and American citizens of Pakistani origin living abroad are also being threatened.
This letter has been written under the leadership of Democratic woman MP Pramila Jayapal and MP Greg Cassar. In this the MPs said that dictatorship is increasing in Pakistan. Journalists are being threatened, kidnapped or forced to leave the country.
MP said- People are getting punished for criticizing the government in Pakistan
The MPs mentioned some incidents in the letter. These include Virginia’s famous journalist Ahmed Noorani. Noorani had reported on the corruption of the Pakistani Army, after which his two brothers living in Pakistan were kidnapped and kept for more than a month.
Similarly, the brother-in-law of famous musician Salman Ahmed was also kidnapped, who was released only after American intervention. In the letter, the MPs have expressed concern about the growing dictatorial crisis in Pakistan.
According to him, opposition leaders are being put in jail without charges. Common citizens are being arrested just for posting on social media. Women, religious minorities and especially the people of Balochistan are being tortured the most.
Letter mentions rigging in 2024 elections, demands investigation
The MPs also mentioned the large-scale rigging in the 2024 general elections, on which the independent Pakistani organization ‘Pattan Report’ and the US State Department itself had expressed deep concern and demanded a thorough investigation.
The letter said that there was severe rigging in the 2024 Pakistani elections. It was condemned by the whole world and the ‘Pattan Report’ of an independent Pakistani organization has documented all the irregularities with evidence.
Through these elections, only a puppet government has been formed, which appears to be correct from outside but is actually run by the army. The US State Department had also said at that time that there had been huge irregularities in the elections and there should be a thorough investigation.
Now the situation is such that under the pressure of the army, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that the cases of civilians can also be tried in military courts. Due to this, the courts have come under the complete control of the army and there is no way to punish the officers or generals who commit atrocities.
44 MPs signed the letter and sent it to the US Secretary of State.
What sanctions may be imposed
According to the lawmakers’ letter, sanctions could be imposed on senior Pakistani officials, including Munir and Sharif, which are possible under US laws:
- Visa ban: A complete ban on travel to America, due to which these officials or their families will not be able to step into America. This will apply to officials who are found responsible for threatening American citizens or residents, kidnapping their Pakistani relatives, or inciting violence.
- Seizure of property: Freezing of any assets, bank accounts or financial transactions in the US or countries under US influence. This could be done under the Global Magnitsky Act, which applies economic pressure against human rights violators.
Demand for release of Imran Khan
US lawmakers also demanded the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and other political prisoners.
He said that we urge the administration to take strict action against those officers who are weakening the legal freedom of the citizens.
The lawmakers further said that such steps would show America’s accountability toward human rights. Will protect Pakistani American citizens from international repression and promote regional stability.
Imran meets family after 27 days
Imran Khan’s family met Imran Khan after 27 days on 2 December. Earlier, he had met his sister Naureen Khan on 5 November.
Last Tuesday, Imran Khan’s supporters and family members had come to meet him, but the jail administration did not allow them.
After this the rumor spread that Imran had died and the Pakistan government was hiding it. A big demonstration was held in Pakistan today regarding this, in view of which a high alert was issued from Rawalpindi to Islamabad.
Imran Khan’s sister Uzma Khan spoke to the media after coming out of Adiala jail.
Shahbaz is avoiding making Munir the Supreme of the Army
On the other hand, in Pakistan, the process of making Field Marshal Asim Munir the Supreme of the three armies i.e. Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) is stuck.
Notification to make Munir CDF was to be issued by November 29, but PM Shahbaz Sharif has not signed it even after 5 days. Even before this, Shahbaz had gone to Bahrain on 26 November, then left for London on 27 November on an unofficial visit.
Media reports claim that Shehbaz Sharif has distanced himself from this process so that he does not have to sign the order for the new appointment of Asim Munir.
On November 12, the Pakistani Parliament passed the 27th constitutional amendment to increase the strength of the army. Under this, Asim Munir was to be made the Super Chief of the three armies i.e. CDF. As soon as he got this post, he would also get the command of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, that is, he would become the most powerful person in the country.
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