A bipartisan bill was introduced in the US Congress demanding the release of Imran Khan

Washington, DC: According to The Hill, a bipartisan measure was submitted in the US Congress on Monday with the goal of sanctioning General Asim Munir, the head of Pakistan‘s Army, for his alleged involvement in the persecution of political opponents, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Reps. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) presented the “Pakistan Democracy Act,” which asks for specific penalties under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.

According to the law, the US government must identify those responsible for political persecution in Pakistan within 180 days and implement sanctions, such as limiting access to the US and banning visas. It specifically charges Munir with “knowingly engaging in the wrongful persecution and imprisonment of political opponents” and calls for similar measures to be taken against other individuals involved in the crackdown.

Wilson has been outspoken in his support of Khan’s incarceration, which he claims was driven by political considerations. Wilson told The Hill, “Mr. Khan is obviously a political prisoner,” and said that he had called on the US government to apply pressure on Pakistan’s military leadership to achieve Khan’s release and restore democracy by banning visas and other measures.

If Pakistan abolishes military dictatorship, reestablishes civilian-led democracy, and frees all political leaders who have been incarcerated, the law permits the sanctions to be lifted.

Khan was arrested in August 2023 on corruption accusations after being ousted from government in 2022 by a vote of no confidence. The allegations, according to his supporters, are politically motivated and the result of military plotting to keep him from regaining power. Representatives Greg Casar (D-Texas), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), and Jack Bergman (R-Mich.) are among the lawmakers from both major US parties who have frequently advocated for his release.

Former Trump administration staffer Richard Grenell has also endorsed Khan. He wrote, “Watch Pakistan,” on the social networking site X in December. its populace has been influenced by the US Red Wave, and its Trump-like leader is incarcerated on false accusations. Put an end to political prosecutions worldwide. More than 12 million people saw his tweet, and many of Khan’s followers reposted it.

In a joint speech to Congress earlier this month, President Trump expressed gratitude to the Pakistani government for helping to apprehend an ISIS member connected to the 2021 Kabul airport assault. According to The Hill, US State Department spokesman Tammy Bruce refused to comment on Khan’s predicament last week, saying that the administration does not meddle in the domestic affairs of other nations.

Former Pakistani ambassador to the United States and senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, Husain Haqqani, doubted Washington would do anything. Haqqani cited Khan’s prior criticism of US policy when he said, “It is unlikely that sanctions would be imposed on Pakistan just to secure the release of a populist but anti-American politician.”

Following his dismissal, Khan often charged that Washington had planned his removal in coordination with Pakistan’s opposition at the time. He said that because of his independent foreign policy and opposition to US control, the US wanted him removed. His dismissal was framed as an assault on Pakistan’s sovereignty, and anti-American shouts were used to identify his rallies. Any connection has been denied by the Biden administration.

Although Wilson accepted that he disagreed with Khan’s opinions, he maintained that political disputes need to be settled democratically. “But political differences should be dealt with at the ballot box,” he said.

The Wilson Center’s South Asia director, Michael Kugelman, also played down the possibility of sanctions, pointing out the inconsistency in Khan’s camp’s demand for US action. “For many observers in DC, there is something deeply ironic about Khan supporters blaming the US for Khan’s ouster and then calling on it to rescue him,” he said. He pointed out that, according to reporting from The Hill, Khan’s supporters contend that this is about correcting meddling, but that premise is politically contentious in and of itself.

The MPs’ drive, according to Haqqani, was motivated more by domestic politics than by genuine concern for Pakistan’s internal affairs. “Several members of Congress are unaware of Khan’s track record, as some have mistakenly described him as a friend of the US, which he has never claimed to be,” he said.