Pakistan’s Foreign Office has rejected a bill introduced in the US Congress targeting the country, calling it an isolated move that does not reflect overall bilateral relations.
“We are aware of the bill. It represents an individual viewpoint and not the broader US-Pakistan relationship,” Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated during a weekly press briefing.
He expressed optimism that the US legislature would work towards strengthening ties rather than imposing such measures.
Khan also criticized recent US sanctions on Pakistani commercial entities, calling them unilateral and lacking evidence.
Addressing reports of Pakistani journalists allegedly visiting Israel, he reiterated that Pakistani passport holders are legally barred from traveling there, emphasizing that any such trips were made by dual nationals.
On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Khan welcomed a recent ceasefire agreement, expressing hope for lasting peace and reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to diplomatic solutions.
Regarding recent diplomatic efforts, he highlighted Sadiq Khan’s visit to Afghanistan, which included high-level discussions on cross-border trade, railway links, and border infrastructure.
Earlier, two US lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill in the House of Representatives proposing sanctions against Pakistani officials over alleged human rights violations, including the treatment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The bill, titled the Pakistan Democracy Act, was introduced by Republican Congressman Joe Wilson and Democratic Congressman Jimmy Panetta. It has been referred to the House Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees for review.
The proposed legislation calls for sanctions on Pakistan’s army chief within 180 days if the country fails to take steps to improve human rights conditions. It also invokes the US Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which allows the US to impose visa bans and financial restrictions on individuals accused of rights violations.
Additionally, the bill directs the US government to identify and penalize individuals allegedly involved in suppressing political opposition in Pakistan. However, it grants the US president the authority to lift sanctions if Pakistan ends military interference in civilian governance and releases all “wrongfully detained political prisoners.”
