Sponsors (18)
The bill increases U.S. leverage to punish and deter human-rights abuses in Pakistan through sanctions, visa bans, and conditionality while improving oversight, but it also risks diplomatic fallout, economic spillovers, increased enforcement costs, and significant due-process concerns for individuals targeted by the measures.
Taxpayers and U.S. national security interests: the bill directs targeted sanctions and visa restrictions on Pakistani officials involved in abuses, creating accountability and a deterrent against human-rights violations.
U.S. policymakers and taxpayers: the bill ties executive waivers and relief to specific democratic benchmarks, giving the U.S. leverage to encourage restoration of civilian rule and the release of political detainees in Pakistan.
Congress and the public: the bill requires timely briefings and reporting to Congress (e.g., within 90 days), improving oversight, transparency, and accountability for determinations about alleged human-rights abusers.
Taxpayers and U.S. national-security interests: targeted sanctions and visa restrictions risk straining U.S.–Pakistan diplomatic relations and complicating cooperation on security and counterterrorism, which could reduce U.S. strategic influence and operational collaboration.
Small businesses, aid recipients, and taxpayers: sanctions and related measures could have economic repercussions for bilateral trade, aid programs, and businesses, with possible costs to U.S. economic interests and assistance outcomes.
Immigrants and people designated by the government: the bill permits visa refusals and revocations without judicial hearings and uses broad standards (e.g., 'should have known'), creating significant due-process and justice concerns and risking wrongful or overbroad designations of lower-level or indirect actors.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Requires U.S. sanctions on Pakistan’s military chief unless civilian rule and release of political detainees occur, and bars visas for foreign officials who persecuted detainees or undermined democracy.
Requires U.S. officials to press for a return to civilian rule in Pakistan by declaring U.S. policy support for free and fair democracy, ordering sanctions under the Global Magnitsky law on Pakistan’s army chief within 180 days unless civilian rule and the release of political detainees are verified, and directing visa bans and inadmissibility for foreign individuals who participated in wrongful persecution or who significantly undermined democracy. The President and relevant Departments must identify target individuals, may waive actions for national interest or changed circumstances, and must brief congressional committees on determinations.
Introduced March 24, 2025 by Joe Wilson · Last progress March 24, 2025