U.S. Bipartisan Bill Demands Imran Khan’s Release, Seeks Sanctions on Pakistan Army Chief

The Pakistan Democracy Act introduced in Congress targets General Asim Munir for alleged political persecution and calls for restoring civilian rule in Pakistan.

Washington, D.C., March 25: In a major bipartisan move, U.S. lawmakers have introduced the Pakistan Democracy Act, a bill calling for sanctions against Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir and others allegedly involved in the persecution of political opposition, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Filed by Reps. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), the bill seeks targeted sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which includes visa bans and restrictions on entry into the U.S. It mandates that, within 180 days, the U.S. government identify Pakistani officials responsible for political repression.

The legislation directly accuses Munir of orchestrating the wrongful imprisonment of political opponents and calls for action unless Pakistan restores civilian rule and releases all detained political figures.

“Mr. Khan is clearly a political prisoner,” said Wilson in an interview with The Hill, adding that pressure through sanctions is necessary to restore democracy in Pakistan.

Imran Khan, ousted in a no-confidence vote in 2022, was arrested in August 2023 on corruption charges that many of his supporters say are politically motivated and engineered by the military to block his return to power.

The bill has garnered support across party lines. Democrats including Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Ro Khanna, and Greg Casar, and Republicans like Jack Bergman, have previously called for Khan’s release.

Former Trump administration official Richard Grenell also voiced support, comparing Khan to Donald Trump, tweeting:

“Watch Pakistan. Their Trump-like leader is in prison on phony charges… Stop the political prosecutions around the world!”
The post garnered over 12 million views.

However, experts remain skeptical. Husain Haqqani, ex-Pakistani ambassador to the U.S., dismissed the possibility of serious action, saying:

“It is unlikely sanctions would be imposed just to free a populist but anti-American politician.”

Khan, who has accused the U.S. of plotting his ouster—a claim Washington denies—has long voiced anti-American rhetoric, calling his removal a consequence of an independent foreign policy.

Still, Rep. Wilson emphasized that political disagreements should be resolved through elections, not repression.

“We may disagree with Khan, but differences should be decided at the ballot box.”

Analysts like Michael Kugelman of the Wilson Center noted the irony of Khan’s supporters now appealing to the U.S. for intervention.

“It’s politically awkward to blame America and then ask it for help,” he observed.

Critics argue that some lawmakers backing the bill may not fully grasp Khan’s history or anti-U.S. posture, raising concerns about whether the push is symbolic or aimed at genuine policy change.