Bill Seeks Sanctions On Pakistan Army Chief Over Imran Khan’s Arrest

Photo: Reuters

WASHINGTON, DC (ANI)- A bipartisan bill introduced in the US Congress seeks sanctions on Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, for his role in persecuting political opponents, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, The Hill reported.

Titled the “Pakistan Democracy Act,” the legislation, introduced by Reps. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), calls for targeted sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. It mandates the US government to identify individuals involved in political persecution in Pakistan within 180 days and impose penalties, including visa bans and entry restrictions. The bill accuses Munir of orchestrating the crackdown and urges action against others complicit in it.

Wilson, a vocal critic of Khan’s imprisonment, described him as a “political prisoner” and urged US intervention to pressure Pakistan’s military leadership. The bill allows for sanctions to be lifted if Pakistan restores civilian democracy and releases detained political figures.

Several US lawmakers, including Greg Casar, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Brad Sherman, Ro Khanna, and Jack Bergman, have called for his release.

Former Trump administration official Richard Grenell compared Khan to Trump and called his imprisonment “phony.” Meanwhile, Husain Haqqani, a former Pakistani ambassador, was skeptical of US sanctions, citing Khan’s anti-American rhetoric.

While the bill highlights growing US scrutiny of Pakistan’s military, analysts doubt that Washington will impose sanctions solely to secure Khan’s release.