Pakistan is currently going through troubling times as its political turmoil continues to threaten the democracy of the country. The political crisis, along with increasing instances of human rights violations, has sparked international concern.
Amid this backdrop, US Congressman Brad Sherman has written a letter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, highlighting issues related to human rights and democracy in Pakistan.
In his letter, which he shared on his official Twitter account, Brad Sherman urged Antony Blinken to support human rights in Pakistan as it is also in the US national interest and asked him to reaffirm the US position that the Pakistani government should respect the right to speak, organize, and demonstrate peacefully.
Read more: US senator raises concern over political violence in Pakistan
“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 wrote.
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
Furthermore, the lawmaker highlighted numerous cases filed against PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan and the force used by government authorities against his supporters and workers.
Congressman Sherman also asked the secretary of state to form a panel of law experts to review the issue of the election delay verdict of the top court as the government is of the view that the matter should be heard by the full court.
“I ask you to guide the United States-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,” Congressman Sherman said.
Congressman Brad Sherman is currently serving his thirteenth term in the US House of Representatives. He is a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the House Financial Services Committee, and a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.
He has been extremely vocal with his views on the political developments in Pakistan, often mirroring the narrative of PTI. Recently, Brad Sherman also held a telephonic conversation with Imran Khan.
Interestingly, this has sparked allegations that Brad Sherman is among those US lawmakers and influential persons who are now speaking in favor of PTI after the party engaged another lobbying firm to project its goals overseas.
Read more: US Congressman advises Pakistan to obey SC ruling on Punjab election