The US Congress is set to hold a hearing on political repression in Pakistan, focusing on growing concerns over human rights and democratic backsliding. The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission announced the session will examine the Pakistani government’s alleged efforts to suppress opposition voices, limit press freedom, and restrict civil liberties.
Focus of the Hearing
Scheduled to be held in person and streamed online, the hearing will evaluate Pakistan’s political climate, especially following the removal of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2022. The panel will review government actions that reportedly curtail freedom of expression, political association, and access to independent media.
However The Commission said it aims to explore how these developments impact democracy and human rights. It works under the mandate to defend international human rights as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other global conventions.
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Background and Reports
The hearing follows multiple findings from the US State Department’s 2023 Human Rights Report. It documented enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings, religious persecution, and censorship in Pakistan. The report also flagged electoral interference and violence during the February 2024 general elections, noting severe restrictions on peaceful assembly and political campaigning.
Key Witnesses
The Commission has called several notable witnesses to testify, including:
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Ben Linden from Amnesty International
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Jared Genser, a prominent human rights attorney
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Sadiq Amini from the Afghanistan Impact Network
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Zulfikar Bukhari, advisor to former PM Imran Khan and senior member of PTI
Access to the Hearing
The hearing will be open to Members of Congress, their staff, the media, and the public. It will be livestreamed on both the Tom Lantos Commission’s official website and the US House digital channel. The session marks a significant moment in US oversight of global democratic norms and political accountability in allied nations.
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