Canada Global(Web News) In a letter written to US Secretary of State Anthony Blanken, 11 members of the US Congress urged the Biden administration to withhold future US aid to Pakistan until constitutional order is restored in the country. There are no free and fair elections.
According to a report, US lawmakers have legally requested the State Department under the Leahy Act and Section 502(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act to review whether US security assistance to Pakistan violates human rights in Pakistan. Facilitates violations.
We further request that Pakistan’s security assistance be withheld until Pakistan takes decisive steps towards restoring constitutional order, holding free and fair elections, he wrote.
The lawmakers wrote that we are deeply concerned about the passage of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
He pointed out that while the bill is yet to be signed by the President, the bill was rushed through despite repeated calls by many MPs to follow the regular parliamentary procedure for its approval. .
Lawmakers warned that religious persecution continues in Pakistan and that they are concerned about future restrictions on freedom of religion and belief if the bill becomes law.
The initiative was launched by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a champion of the Muslim cause in the US Congress, with other signatories including Frank Palin Jr., Joaquin Castro, Summer Lee, Ted W. Liu, Diana Titus, Lloyd Doggett and Corey Bush. Contributors are included.
ost of them are members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Congress has played a key role in highlighting the Palestinian issue in Washington and has also participated in protests and rallies to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The American Commission on International Religious Freedom wrote in its latest report on Pakistan that religious minorities in Pakistan are particularly vulnerable to prosecution or torture based on blasphemy charges, and blasphemy cases are a violation of religious freedom. There are risks.
The report further states that the previous government in Pakistan weaponized blasphemy laws against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his cabinet members.
US lawmakers recognize Pakistan’s importance as a longtime ally and the need to address issues such as restrictions on freedom of expression and religion, enforced disappearances, military courts, and the harassment and arrest of political opponents and human rights defenders. admit to
The US lawmakers also mentioned the cases against PTI Chairman Imran Khan and said he could face the death penalty for allegedly violating the Official Secrets Act.
The letter also mentions human rights lawyer Iman Mazari, who was detained without an arrest warrant after addressing a rally against enforced disappearances.
The letter urges the US Embassy in Islamabad to send observers to the hearings and other legal proceedings of human rights activists and political leaders, including Iman Mazari, Khadija Shah and Imran Khan.
We believe that the United States can play a constructive role in bringing about positive change, and we hope that our cooperation will help build a just future for the people of Pakistan, the US lawmakers wrote.
