US bill looks to sanction Pakistan Army chief over Imran Khan’s imprisonment. What it says

US Republican Joe Wilson, a long-time critic of Pakistan’s military, has consistently advocated for Khan’s release, calling him a 'political prisoner'.

File photo of Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) | Photo: ANI

New Delhi: Jailed ex-prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has found an unlikely ally in US Republican Joe Wilson. The former senator has followed up on his February declaration and introduced the “Pakistan Democracy Act” Monday in the US parliament. In a first, the bipartisan bill calls for sanctions on Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir.

Wilson—a member of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees—leads the Republican Policy Committee and is reportedly closely aligned with former President Donald Trump.

The proposed legislation calls for sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. The 2016 Act grants the US government the authority to impose sanctions on foreign government officials worldwide who are found to be human rights violators. This includes freezing their assets and barring them from entering the US.

If passed, the bill would restrict General Munir’s ability to enter the US or obtain US visas, and extend similar bans to others involved in the persecution. The bill requires the US president to lift these sanctions only if Pakistan transitions to civilian-led governance and releases all political prisoners, including Khan, who has been in detention since August 2023.

Rep. Wilson, a long-time critic of Pakistan’s military, has consistently advocated for Khan’s release, calling him a “political prisoner”.

In his statement Monday, Wilson emphasised that Pakistan’s military has played a crucial role in Khan’s “unjust detention”. He further stressed the importance of holding Pakistan’s leadership accountable, urging Trump to pressure Pakistan’s military through diplomatic measures, such as visa bans, The Hill reported.

Khan’s incarceration has become a focal point of debate in Washington, where both Republicans and Democrats have expressed concern over the growing power of Pakistan’s military and its influence on political outcomes. Khan, ousted from power in April 2022 following a political rift with the military, has since led a campaign against the military’s interference in politics. He claims that the military orchestrated his removal in collaboration with his political rivals—a charge the military denies, stating that it does not involve itself in politics.

What the bill states 

The bill reportedly highlights Washington’s commitment to supporting democracy in Pakistan by proposing sanctions on Pakistan’s Army Chief, Asim Munir, for the first time. It includes a 30-day review period to assess sanctions and calls for a broader evaluation of Pakistani generals, officials, and their families for potential sanctions. The bill aims to target those involved in the wrongful persecution of political opponents, such as Imran Khan.

Moreover, Congressmen Joe Wilson and August Pfluger in February wrote to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging him to push for Khan’s release, calling him “widely beloved” in Pakistan and likening his imprisonment to judicial abuse similar to that faced by former President Trump. Pfluger serves as the chair of the Republican Study Committee.

Wilson shared a copy of the letter on his X account, stating that he and Pfluger were urging Rubio to “free Imran Khan and help restore democracy in Pakistan”.

“US-Pakistan relations are strongest when they are based on freedom!” he wrote.

Khan, who has faced a series of charges since his ouster, has written multiple open letters to General Munir, urging him to restore democracy and end military interference in politics. Despite these calls, Pakistan’s military leadership has dismissed Khan’s claims, with General Munir telling reporters that any letters from Khan would be forwarded to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The political tensions surrounding Khan have only intensified since May 2023, when protests erupted across Pakistan following his arrest in a land corruption case. Khan’s supporters, many of whom are members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, have clashed with security forces, leading to the arrest of thousands and the defection of several key party leaders under pressure from the military.

(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)