NEW DELHI: In a major transfer, eleven members of the US Congress have despatched a letter to secretary of state Anthony Blinken, urging the Biden administration to droop future US help to Pakistan. This suggestion is contingent on Pakistan’s progress in restoring constitutional order and conducting free and truthful elections.Based on a report within the Daybreak, the lawmakers have requested a authorized evaluation below the Leahy Legal guidelines and Part 502(b) of the International Help Act.This evaluation is to find out if US-origin safety help has been concerned in human rights violations in Pakistan. They emphasised the necessity for withholding future safety help till Pakistan demonstrates a transparent dedication to constitutional restoration, together with the group of free and truthful elections with full participation from all political events.A big concern raised within the letter is Pakistan’s current actions to strengthen its blasphemy legal guidelines. The lawmakers warned that the proposed amendments to the blasphemy legislation might additional oppress smaller spiritual teams and minorities. They expressed alarm over the passing of the Prison Regulation (Modification) Invoice, 2023, which goals to strengthen the prevailing blasphemy legislation, a legislation traditionally used to persecute spiritual minorities. The letter highlights the invoice’s speedy passage, regardless of requires thorough parliamentary procedures, and cites situations of spiritual persecution, together with assaults on Christian communities and protests in opposition to the invoice, the Daybreak report mentioned.“We’re unable to disregard the persistent studies of human rights abuses, together with restrictions on freedom of expression, speech, and faith and perception, in addition to enforced disappearances, army courts, and harassment and arrest of political opponents and human rights defenders. These violations not solely violate the basic rights of the Pakistani individuals but in addition undermine the rules of democracy, justice, and rule of legislation,” the letter mentioned.The initiative, led by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a recognized advocate for Muslim causes within the US Congress, has garnered help from different members, together with Frank Pallone Jr, Joaquin Castro, Summer season Lee, Ted W Lieu, Dina Titus, Lloyd Doggett, and Cori Bush. These members, largely from the progressive wing of Congress, have been vocal on points just like the Palestinian trigger and have participated in rallies demanding ceasefires in battle zones like Gaza.The letter additionally addresses issues about freedom of expression, enforced disappearances, army courts, and the harassment and arrest of political opponents and human rights defenders in Pakistan. It particularly mentions the circumstances in opposition to PTI chief Imran Khan and human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari, urging the US Embassy in Islamabad to look at their authorized proceedings.The lawmakers expressed their willingness to collaborate with secretary Blinken to advertise human rights, democracy, and stability in Pakistan. Nevertheless, the response of the US authorities, significantly the state division, to those issues stays unsure. This example highlights the complicated steadiness between geopolitical alliances and the promotion of democratic values on the worldwide stage.
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