US Congressman pens letter to Blinken over PTI's 'political victimisation'

Urges US to 'guide Pakistan policy toward a greater commitment to human rights'

United States (US) Congressman Brad Sherman shared a letter on Wednesday that he has written to Secretary of State Antony Blinken over "democracy in Pakistan", and more specifically, the alleged "political victimisation" of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Earlier in March, the Democratic party congressman had released a video message and urged the US administration to support democracy and human rights in the country; sounding alarm over what he said, the “alleged custodial torture and sexual abuse of political figures” such as PTI leaders Shahbaz Gill and Azam Swati.

Now, in a letter dated April 11, the California lawmaker has asked Biden to “guide the US’ Pakistan policy toward a greater commitment to human rights and to use all US diplomatic channels to urge Pakistani authorities to investigate the alleged abuses and to hold accountable anybody who may be responsible”.

See below my letter to @SecBlinken regarding Democracy in #Pakistan.

Thanks @DrMahmood40 for being such a good adviser, and also for arranging my most recent telephone call with #ImranKhan. pic.twitter.com/qsRAKhX4Oe

— Congressman Brad Sherman (@BradSherman) April 11, 2023

“I urge the authorities to make sure that going forward political figures or citizens who simply want to demonstrate are not subjected to anti-democratic consequences,” he said.

Sherman made special mention of the "several cases" registered against PTI chief Imran Khan, "the alleged torture and even sexual abuse of political figures" like Shahbaz Gill and journalist Jameel Farooqui, "the use of force" against Imran's supporters, "the detention of protestors under sweeping counter-terrorism laws" as well as the "closing of space for free speech".

He also expressed deep concern over Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah's remarks for "insinuating" that the PTI chief "will be eliminated from the political arena.

Further, the letter also took note of the delay in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa elections calling it "another sign of skirting democratic processes".

“The United States does not involve itself in Pakistan’s internal governmental matters — I respect its Constitution and its democratic process — but we must not shy away from raising our voice when the human rights of the Pakistani people are at stake," he said.

Meanwhile, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry welcomed the move urging other lawmakers around the world to also "raise issue of human rights abuses in their jurisdictions as well".

Letter by a senior member of USA Congress Foreign Affairs committee to Secretary Blinkin shows the growing concerns of international community on the HR abuses in Pak by a fascist Govt, I call upon EU and UK Parliamentarians to raise issue of HR abuses in their jurisdictions as… pic.twitter.com/80z9Te4YXd

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 12, 2023