US Congressmen joined together to address the human rights situation in Pakistan. The event was held at the US Congress in Washington DC and was also attended by Overseas Pakistanis.
According to the details, Congressman Brad Sherman and US Democratic candidate for Congress Dr Asif Mahmood arranged the meeting, which was attended by several US congressmen and women including Adam Schiff and Jim Costa.
PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Focal Person for the US Sajjad Burki and Advisor on Overseas Affairs Atif Khan also participated in the event.Â
Read more: Pakistani Americans lobby Congress
Pertinent to mention that PTI USA has been actively engaged in lobbying Congress – especially its Houston chapter. Atif Khan, Sajjad Burki and Dr. Asif Mehmood have been more visible in organizing meetings of the community with congressmen and senators.
An event was held at the US Congress in Washington DC on Jul 26th to discuss the human rights situation in Pakistan.
Congressman @BradSherman and @DrMahmood40 arranged the meeting, which was attended by several US congressmen and women.
Chairman Imran Khan's Focal Person for… pic.twitter.com/2yCg8vwCnY
— PTI USA Official (@PTIOfficialUSA) July 27, 2023
During the event, photos of detained designer Khadija Shah and missing journalist Imran Riaz Khan were placed. Amid the backdrop of these cases, the state of human rights and democracy in Pakistan were discussed at the event.
Several leaders from the US House of Reps spoke during the event, raising concerns over ongoing human rights violations and the shrinking space for free expression in Pakistan.
Imran Riaz Khan loomed larger in the United States Congress today (Rayburn Office Building, US Congress, Room 2200) during discussion on Human Rights & Media Freedoms! Thanks to Congressmen Brad Sherman, Jim Costa, Dr. Asif Mehmood & many others! Big Day for Pakistani Democracy! pic.twitter.com/5D0YErwzWB
— Moeed Pirzada (@MoeedNj) July 27, 2023
To clarify, Pakistani-American PTI activist Khadija Shah had been arrested for alleged involvement in the arson of Lahore Corp Commander House (Jinnah House) during the May 9 violent protests. On the other hand, Imran Riaz Khan was apprehended by the Police at Sialkot International Airport on May 11 but his current location has been untraceable ever since.
Pakistan’s recent political chaos following the arrest of PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan and the subsequent government action sparked international concern.
Members of the US Congress have been very vocal in their condemnation of the human rights violations in Pakistan. In fact, 66 members of the US Congress also wrote to Secretary of State Blinken, asking him to exert pressure on the Pakistani government in order to address the continually worsening human rights violations in the country.
Read more: 66 US Congressmen urge Blinken to take action on Pakistan’s human rights crisis