The inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States has fueled anticipation among Pakistani Americans for a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy toward Pakistan. A coalition of Pakistani Americans and global diaspora members have formally congratulated Trump through a detailed letter, also urging him to reverse the Biden administration’s approach towards democratic backsliding in Pakistan, which has emboldened Asim Munir’s authoritarian regime.
PRESS RELEASE: Thousands join letter congratulating @POTUS @realDonaldTrump, seek reversal of Biden support for Pakistan’s unpopular political and military elites
Signatories join growing calls from Congress to impose targeted sanctions on Pakistan’s authoritarian rulers https://t.co/ayteF1lW6X pic.twitter.com/XiJQj7lTgK
— Coalition to Change U.S. Policy on Pakistan (CUSP) (@ChangePakPolicy) January 21, 2025
Pakistani Americans Call for Action Against Rising Authoritarianism
The letter, organized by advocacy group Coalition to Change U.S. Policy on Pakistan (CUSP), condemns the Biden administration’s support for Pakistan’s military-dominated regime under General Asim Munir. It highlights issues of election fraud, political repression, and a systematic erosion of civil liberties in Pakistan.
“Your return to office has generated hope and enthusiasm across the Pakistani-American community,” the letter begins, urging Trump to address the deteriorating state of democracy in Pakistan. It criticizes the Biden administration for alienating the Pakistani diaspora by signaling support for the removal of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, widely regarded as the country’s most popular leader.
Khan’s imprisonment, described as politically motivated, lies at the heart of this crisis. Advocacy groups, including Amnesty International and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, have condemned his detention as a violation of international human rights standards. Amnesty International’s September 2024 statement called for Khan’s immediate release, citing arbitrary detention and fair trial violations. The UN echoed these concerns, labeling his imprisonment as a breach of international law.
#Pakistan #UnitedNations : The UN Human Rights Council’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention demands that former Prime Minister Imran Khan be released without delay, that he be compensated, and that the government take action against those accountable for violating his rights.… pic.twitter.com/L3MtdilRCg
— International Human Rights Foundation (@IHRF_English) July 1, 2024
Biden Administration’s Inaction Under Scrutiny
Pakistani Americans have long called for U.S. intervention to curb Pakistan’s authoritarian slide, but their efforts have largely been met with indifference. The Biden administration has been criticized for its tepid response to human rights violations under General Munir’s regime. Instances of voter intimidation, election rigging, and suppression of opposition figures have drawn condemnation from international bodies and U.S. lawmakers alike.
In October 2024, Congress introduced Human Rights Resolution 901, which denounced the fraudulent general elections and the military’s overreach in Pakistan. However, the administration took no substantive action. Even as State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller repeatedly deflected questions on Pakistan’s democratic backsliding, calls for accountability from Pakistani Americans and bipartisan members of Congress have gone unanswered.
The letter to Trump highlights the Pakistani regime’s brutal repression of dissent, including the use of live fire against pro-democracy protesters, mass arrests, sham trials, and the abduction and torture of journalists. Notably, the Biden administration failed to advocate for Khadijah Shah, a U.S. citizen who was unlawfully detained in Pakistan. Advocacy groups view this as emblematic of the administration’s unwillingness to confront the regime’s excesses.
Advocacy Efforts Gain Momentum
Pakistani Americans and diaspora members are now pinning their hopes on Trump’s leadership to take decisive action. The letter outlines specific policy recommendations, including:
- Visa bans and asset freezes targeting Pakistan’s military and political elites.
- Pauses in U.S. aid and military training programs to pressure the regime for democratic reforms.
- Recognition of genuine election results and the release of political prisoners, including Imran Khan.
The letter’s authors argue that such measures would not only resonate with Pakistani Americans but also garner support from the broader population in Pakistan, who overwhelmingly back Khan’s pro-democracy stance.
Trump’s Foreign Policy Approach: A New Direction?
During his first term, Trump demonstrated a willingness to bypass conventional diplomacy, favoring direct action to achieve U.S. interests. His personal rapport with Imran Khan—evident during their 2019 White House meeting—has fueled hopes that Trump could take a firmer stance against Pakistan’s military regime.
Advocates believe Trump’s return could mark a departure from Biden’s cautious approach, potentially leveraging economic and military aid to demand accountability from Pakistan’s ruling elites. By prioritizing democratic values, Trump could realign U.S.-Pakistan relations and strengthen ties with the Pakistani diaspora, which played a significant role in his reelection campaign.
Read More: Pompeo’s Exclusion from Trump Administration Deals Severe Blow to Pakistan’s Military
The Biden administration’s reluctance to address Pakistan’s growing authoritarianism has left Pakistani Americans disillusioned, but Trump’s presidency offers a potential turning point. By adopting a confrontational stance against Pakistan’s military-backed government, Trump could restore faith in U.S. foreign policy and champion democratic accountability in the region.
As the global Pakistani diaspora rallies for change, all eyes are on the new administration to act decisively and reverse the troubling trends that have defined U.S.-Pakistan relations under Biden.