US lawmakers introduce bill seeking sanctions on Pakistani officials over human rights violations

Two lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking sanctions on Pakistani state officials over alleged human rights violations, including the treatment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Introduced by Republican Joe Wilson and Democrat Jimmy Panetta, the Pakistan Democracy Act raises concerns about political repression in Pakistan, particularly the role of the military in suppressing opposition voices.

The bill invokes the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, urging sanctions—including visa bans and travel restrictions—on key officials, including the Pakistan army chief, within 180 days.

Significant hurdles

However, despite lobbying efforts by Khan’s supporters in the U.S., experts say the bill faces significant hurdles.

Muqtader Khan, a political science professor at the University of Delaware, told Nukta it is unlikely the Trump administration will pass the bill or enforce the sanctions, given the current security situation in Pakistan.

“The security situation in Pakistan is perilous, and this does not seem like a befitting time for the U.S. to impose sanctions on the top military brass, especially when they are cooperating with the U.S. in counterterrorism efforts,” he said.

Activists of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of former country’s prime minister Imran Khan, take part in a public rally on the outskirts of Islamabad. AFP

Hopes for a pro-Khan stance from President Donald Trump have dimmed in recent weeks. In his joint address to Congress earlier this month, Trump thanked Pakistan’s government for assisting in the arrest of Sharifullah, an Islamic State member accused of planning the 2021 Kabul airport attack, which killed dozens of American soldiers during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

In a separate press briefing, when asked about Khan's detention, the State Department reiterated that it does not interfere in other countries’ internal affairs.

While Khan’s expat supporters may celebrate the bill’s introduction, Trump has approved $400 million for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jet upgrades, despite an ongoing freeze on foreign aid.

Pressure tactic

Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, noted the potential significance of this bill.

“If it passes, it would be one of the most significant pieces of legislation on Pakistan from the U.S. Congress in many years,” Kugelman told Nukta.

He emphasized that the bill goes beyond simply expressing support for democracy or condemning Pakistan’s military leadership. “This is a bill that would open up the possibility of sanctioning senior Pakistani military officials. And it's been quite some time since we've seen something like that coming from the U.S. Congress.”

However, Kugelman also pointed out that the bill’s passage remains uncertain. “Even if it passes, it would have a minimal impact on U.S.-Pakistan relations just because policy is not made by Congress—it comes from the executive branch.”

Still, he acknowledged that it could pressure the administration to act. “It would put some pressure on the Trump administration to follow through on recommendations, which could entail the possibility of sanctions for officials in Pakistan. And we've seen with President Trump and others in his administration that they are not supporters of Pakistan.”

During his first term, Trump had repeatedly criticized Pakistan. “The administration, I don’t think, would be terribly inclined to look favorably upon the civilian and military leadership,” Kugelman added, “which means that it might well be receptive to a bill—especially if it passes by a significant margin—that calls for very tough, draconian steps to be taken against Pakistan.”

Congressional reactions

Several U.S. politicians, including Richard Grenell, Trump’s former envoy for special missions, have publicly supported Imran Khan.

In October 2024, more than 60 Democratic lawmakers wrote to then-President Joe Biden, urging him to use U.S. resources to secure Khan’s immediate release, along with other detained political figures.

The Pakistan Democracy Act is in its early stages and must pass the House of Representatives and the Senate, before being signed into law.

Who is Wilson?

Wilson has emerged as one of the most vocal American politicians advocating for the release of Khan.

Over the past month, Wilson has consistently used his platform to pressure Pakistan’s leadership, both civilian and military, calling for Khan’s freedom as a step toward strengthening U.S.-Pakistan relations.

On Feb. 7, Wilson took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to amplify his message.

In a speech, he accused Pakistan’s military of suppressing democracy and drew parallels between Khan’s imprisonment and political persecution in authoritarian regimes. Standing beside a poster featuring North Korean, Iranian, Russian, and Chinese leaders, he declared, “Pakistan should release Imran Khan, restoring democracy.”

Taking to X, Wilson wrote: “I am grateful to introduce the Pakistan Democracy Act to sanction those undermining democracy in Pakistan!” He also shared a photo of Khan alongside his post.

* Additional reporting by Sheraz Khan