Pakistan Rejects US ‘Democracy Act’ Bill Imposing Sanctions

Pakistan has strongly rejected the bipartisan ‘Democracy Act’ bill introduced in the US House of Representatives, which calls for sanctions against key Pakistani officials, including the Army Chief, over alleged human rights violations. The Pakistan Foreign Office (PFO) dismissed the bill as an “isolated act” and emphasized that it reflects the opinion of certain individuals, not the broader US-Pakistan relationship. The bill, introduced by US lawmakers Joe Wilson and Jimmy Panetta, targets the Pakistani government and military leadership for their treatment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and alleged human rights abuses. Pakistan also condemned recent US sanctions on its commercial entities, criticizing them as unilateral decisions without proper evidence or consultation. The bill seeks to invoke the US Global Magnitsky Act, potentially denying visas and imposing entry bans on those accused of human rights violations. While experts suggest the bill may not pass through approval, its introduction is seen as a way to pressure Pakistan’s government and military regarding Imran Khan’s imprisonment. The situation has drawn attention to the ongoing tensions between the two countries over human rights and political freedoms.