This legislation establishes a policy for the United States to support a democratic Pakistan, emphasizing free and fair elections, civilian rule, judicial independence, and human rights. It seeks to ensure due process of law for all Pakistani citizens by targeting individuals who undermine these democratic principles. The bill is designed to promote a government based on the rule of law rather than military influence. A key provision mandates the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury to impose sanctions on General Asim Munir , Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, within 180 days of the Act's enactment, utilizing the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. The President may waive these sanctions if military rule ends, civilian-led democracy is restored, and all wrongfully detained political detainees are released. Furthermore, the bill authorizes the President to identify and impose visa and entry sanctions on other key individuals who have knowingly engaged in the wrongful persecution and imprisonment of political detainees, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, or who have significantly undermined democracy and furthered military rule in Pakistan. These individuals, including government, military, law enforcement, intelligence, and judicial officials, would be deemed inadmissible to the United States and have their visas revoked. The President retains the authority to waive these broader sanctions on a case-by-case basis if it serves national interests or if the circumstances leading to the sanctions have changed.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
International Affairs
Pakistan Democracy Act
USA119th CongressHR-2311| House
| Updated: 3/24/2025
This legislation establishes a policy for the United States to support a democratic Pakistan, emphasizing free and fair elections, civilian rule, judicial independence, and human rights. It seeks to ensure due process of law for all Pakistani citizens by targeting individuals who undermine these democratic principles. The bill is designed to promote a government based on the rule of law rather than military influence. A key provision mandates the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury to impose sanctions on General Asim Munir , Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, within 180 days of the Act's enactment, utilizing the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. The President may waive these sanctions if military rule ends, civilian-led democracy is restored, and all wrongfully detained political detainees are released. Furthermore, the bill authorizes the President to identify and impose visa and entry sanctions on other key individuals who have knowingly engaged in the wrongful persecution and imprisonment of political detainees, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, or who have significantly undermined democracy and furthered military rule in Pakistan. These individuals, including government, military, law enforcement, intelligence, and judicial officials, would be deemed inadmissible to the United States and have their visas revoked. The President retains the authority to waive these broader sanctions on a case-by-case basis if it serves national interests or if the circumstances leading to the sanctions have changed.
Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better
Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.