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Pakistan Democracy Act

USA119th CongressHR-2311| House 
| Updated: 3/24/2025
Joe Wilson

Joe Wilson

Republican Representative

South Carolina

Cosponsors (17)
Jonathan L. Jackson (Democratic)Mark Pocan (Democratic)Kristen McDonald Rivet (Democratic)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Eric Swalwell (Democratic)Ro Khanna (Democratic)Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican)André Carson (Democratic)Christopher H. Smith (Republican)Joaquin Castro (Democratic)Suhas Subramanyam (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Summer L. Lee (Democratic)Johnny Olszewski (Democratic)Nick LaLota (Republican)Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democratic)

Foreign Affairs Committee, Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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
Mar 24, 2025
Introduced in House
Mar 24, 2025
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.
  • March 24, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • March 24, 2025
    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.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Mar 24, 2025
Introduced in House
Mar 24, 2025
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.
  • March 24, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • March 24, 2025
    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.
Joe Wilson

Joe Wilson

Republican Representative

South Carolina

Cosponsors (17)
Jonathan L. Jackson (Democratic)Mark Pocan (Democratic)Kristen McDonald Rivet (Democratic)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Eric Swalwell (Democratic)Ro Khanna (Democratic)Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican)André Carson (Democratic)Christopher H. Smith (Republican)Joaquin Castro (Democratic)Suhas Subramanyam (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Summer L. Lee (Democratic)Johnny Olszewski (Democratic)Nick LaLota (Republican)Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democratic)

Foreign Affairs Committee, Judiciary Committee

International Affairs

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted