Two US lawmakers have moved a bill to punish Pakistan's Army chief, General Asim Munir, for his alleged involvement in the "wrongful persecution and imprisonment" of political opponents, and freeing detainees, including ousted PM Imran Khan, a media report stated.
The bill that was brought forth, the "Pakistan Democracy Act," was submitted on Monday by South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson and California Democratic Rep. Jimmy Panetta, The Hill reports.
The bipartisan bill holds General Munir responsible for "knowingly participating in the wrongful persecution and imprisonment of political opponents" and recommends sanctions against him within 180 days under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. The report states that individuals who are found to be in contravention would be subject to US entry bans and denial of US visas.
Also, the bill tries to name other key players who are engaged in the "persecution" and recommends imposing the same sanctions on them.
The bill authorizes the US president to lift the sanctions if "military rule has ended in Pakistan, civilian-led democracy and the rule of law have been restored," and "all wrongfully detained political prisoners have been released."
Wilson referred to the 72-year-old Imran Khan as a "political prisoner" and held Pakistan’s military responsible for what he termed Khan’s "unjust detention," the report added.
Khan, who was ousted from power through a no-confidence motion in 2022, has been entangled in multiple legal cases. Arrested in August 2023, he remains in custody at Rawalpindi’s high-security Adiala Jail.
His party says that he has over 200 cases pending against him, of which some were bailed out, some have been convicted, and a few are awaiting hearing.
Wilson also told The Hill that he wrote a letter to the previous President Donald Trump, calling on him to "apply pressure on Pakistan's military leaders, including through visa restrictions, to restore democracy and free Khan.
