Several US Congress members have urged President Donald Trump to take action against Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir and his wider network.
They claim Munir’s ecosystem has been intimidating pro-democracy Pakistani activists living in the United States.
Letter Sent to President Trump
US Representatives Greg Casar and Pramila Jayapal, both part of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote a formal letter to the administration.
They requested that Pakistan’s military and civilian authorities be held accountable for actions they say are extending beyond Pakistan’s borders.
The initiative has gained support from several Pakistani-American organizations, including the Community Alliance for Peace and Justice and the Coalition to Change U.S. Policy on Pakistan.
These groups are mobilizing support against what they describe as growing repression by Pakistan’s military establishment.
Concerns After Pakistan’s 2024 Elections
According to these groups, the Pakistani military intensified its crackdown on dissent after the controversial February 2024 elections.
The polls were marred by allegations of voter suppression, ballot manipulation, and fraud, allegedly to weaken former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his party.
Activists say the crackdown now targets not only people within Pakistan but also critics living abroad, including in the US.
Previous Congressional Efforts
The Casar–Jayapal letter follows earlier efforts in Congress. Earlier this year, Representatives Jack Bergman and Greg Stanton sent President Trump a joint letter calling for targeted visa bans and suspension of US aid to General Munir’s administration.
Campaign supporters say momentum is building, but more action is still needed.
Lawmakers Witness Suppression First-Hand
Several US lawmakers who recently visited Pakistan said they directly observed severe restrictions on freedom of expression.
Two bills, the Pakistan Democracy Act and the Pakistan Freedom and Accountability Act, are already under consideration in Congress.
Call for Protecting Activists on US Soil
Activists leading the campaign argue that the US cannot allow any ally to threaten or intimidate pro-democracy voices within the United States.
Pakistani-American Republican leader Junaid Khan said his own family was harassed in Pakistan because he spoke out against the government.
He stated that the goal of the letter is to ensure the White House and State Department impose targeted bans on Pakistani officials involved in repression beyond Pakistan’s borders.
