Washington: Congressman Brad Sherman, in a letter written to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, highlighted the human rights and democracy issues in Pakistan and urged him to reiterate Washington’s support for Islamabad to speak out, organize. And the right to peaceful protest should be respected.
Sherman shared the letter (on April 12) on his Twitter handle, citing US support for Pakistan in times of need, and asked the country’s top diplomat to support human rights in Pakistan as the country It is also in the national interest.
“I know that human rights are a priority for you, and I recognize your administration’s commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The United States does not involve itself in Pakistan’s internal governmental affairs. – I respect its constitution and its democratic process – but we should not hesitate to raise our voice when the human rights of the Pakistani people are at stake.”
See below my letter to @SecBlinken regarding Democracy in #Pakistan.
— Congressman Brad Sherman (@BradSherman) April 11, 2023
Thanks @DrMahmood40 for being such a good adviser, and also for arranging my most recent telephone call with #ImranKhan. pic.twitter.com/qsRAKhX4Oe
The letter comes a week after former prime minister Imran Khan had a telephone conversation with Sherman, one of the most influential US lawmakers and officials who now speaks in favor of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). While he has contacted another lobbying firm. To promote your goals abroad.
“It is important that we see a peaceful, orderly, democratic and prosperous Pakistan where Pakistanis can have free and open political dialogue,” Sherman said in his three-page letter.
He also expressed concern over incidents over the past year, “particularly the alleged torture and even sexual assault of political figures,” including Khan’s chief of staff Shehbaz Gul and journalist Jameel Farooqui.
“Thankfully, they were both released, but the chilling effect of their detention and treatment still reverberates. Human Rights Watch (HRW) cited numerous credible allegations of torture and ill-treatment of political opponents, Calls for immediate investigation into Gul’s complaints.” HRW also questioned allegations of sedition against Gul during previous governments in Pakistan. The arrest of former minister Ali Amin Gandapur on April 6 added to these concerns.
The lawmaker highlighted the numerous cases filed against the PTI chief and his supporters, the use of force, the detention of protesters under broad anti-terrorism laws and the clampdown on freedom of expression.
Congressman Sherman noted that efforts by authorities to delay elections in two key provinces were another sign of “abandonment” of the democratic process and urged Pakistan to respect the Supreme Court’s ruling that elections be held on time. should be
He also asked the Secretary of State to set up a panel of legal experts to review the issue of the Supreme Court’s election delay judgment as the government believes the matter should be heard in full court.
“I will continue to monitor the situation. I ask you to guide US-Pakistan policy toward a greater commitment to human rights and to use all US diplomatic channels to urge Pakistani authorities to stop the alleged abuses.” Investigate and hold anyone responsible accountable.
“Most importantly, I urge the authorities to ensure that political figures who step forward or citizens who simply want to demonstrate do not face anti-democratic consequences.”
In the concluding paragraph of the letter, Sherman wrote that the US-Pakistan relationship is one of the most important foreign policy relationships and should accordingly reflect US priorities regarding democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Pakistan.
