US Congressman Jamaal Bowman has spoken out against the human rights violations in Pakistan and urged the government to uphold the rule of law.
Congressman Jamaal Bowman is currently representing New York’s 16th District, which includes the Northern Bronx and parts of Westchester County, including Yonkers, New Rochelle, and Mount Vernon.
He recently met with Overseas Pakistanis’ senior leadership including Sajjad Burki, Focal Person to PTI Chairman Imran Khan for the USA, along with Atif Khan, Chaudhry Akbar, Imran Igra, Mohammad Malik, and Nusrat Jamal.
While keeping view of the current political and economic crisis in Pakistan, Congressman Jamaal Bowman highlighted in a video statement that the US must continue to be a human rights leader and the leader of diplomacy in Pakistan and all over the world.
Read more: Human rights issues in Pakistan: Predicament of a common man
“We must stop solving the problems with subterfuge, conflict, and with war,” Jamaal Bowman said.
Highlighting the importance of democracy, Congressman Jamaal Bowman stated that democracy and human rights in Pakistan need to be supported and it is essential that governments are functioning for the people with the voice of people leading the way, no corruption, and no subterfuge.
Pertinent to mention that Pakistan recently witnessed a sharp increase in media crackdowns by the incumbent government. News channels were taken off the air and prominent journalists were arrested and tortured. The human rights violations sparked international concern.
“We need to make sure that we are uplifting the people and remaining in close proximity in relationship with Pakistan. Let’s speak out against all the injustice that happens in Pakistan and all over the world,” the Congressman further added.
Congressman Jamaal Bowman of New York's 16th congressional district, met leaders from the Pakistani-American community, including @SajjadBurki, Focal Person for USA to Chairman PTI.
He stated: "We must stop solving problems with subterfuge, with conflict, and with war." pic.twitter.com/CVPSQK2lpL
— PTI USA Official (@PTIOfficialUSA) September 21, 2022
Pakistan’s complex political situation
Interestingly, the video statement from Congressman Jamaal Bowman comes at a time when Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif along with the delegation of his cabinet members, is in New York to address the 77th session of the United National General Assembly (UNGA) to be scheduled on 23rd September.
On the sidelines of the UNGA session, Prime Minister Shehbaz met with world leaders to apprise them of the flood crisis in Pakistan. The prime minister also met International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva who expressed deep sympathy for Pakistan and its people.
Since key members of the PDM coalition government is in New York, Overseas Pakistanis living in the US have organized a peaceful protest campaign outside the UNGA building on 23rd September – the day when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will address the UNGA session.
Read more: Overseas Pakistanis: Hail, the new Kingmakers
To clarify, Overseas Pakistanis, in endorsement of PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s narrative, have refused to recognize the legitimacy of the current hybrid regime and believe that the incumbent government is solely responsible for the deteriorating political and economic conditions of the country where freedom of speech has been curbed, political workers tortured and media networks punished for being critical of the government and its policies.
Imran Khan – who is currently Pakistan’s most popular leader – has demanded immediate free and fair elections. However, the PML-N-led government is adamant to hold the elections on time. As a result, Imran Khan decided to launch the “Haqeeqi Azadi” (actual freedom) movement and called his supporters to get ready for his final call.