On March 27, 2025, the Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan addressed a bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, known as the “Pakistan Democracy Act.” This proposed legislation calls for sanctions on Pakistani officials, including the army chief, if the country does not take steps to improve its human rights situation within 180 days. The bill seeks to utilize the U.S. Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act to deny visas and entry to individuals accused of human rights violations.
FO Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan downplayed the significance of the bill, describing it as an initiative by a “single individual legislator” and stating that its timing and context do not align with the “current positive dynamics” of Pakistan-U.S. bilateral relations. He emphasized that the bill would need to undergo several stages in the U.S. legislative process and expressed hope that the U.S. Congress would continue to support strengthening ties between the two nations. Khan reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to constitutionalism, the rule of law, protection of human rights, and freedom of expression, asserting that democracy is viewed as a vehicle for national prosperity and progress.