H.R. 2311

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To authorize the imposition of sanctions with respect to certain foreign persons who have knowingly engaged in the wrongful persecution and imprisonment of political opponents in Pakistan, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · March 24, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Wilson of South Carolina

Table of contents

• H.R. 2311
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Statement of policy
  • SEC. 3. Determination regarding General Asim Munir
  • SEC. 4. Authorization of sanctions

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Pakistan Democracy Act.

SEC. 2. Statement of policy

• It is the policy of the United States to support a democratic Pakistan, including free and fair elections, that is based upon civilian rule, restoration of judicial independence, rule of law, human rights, and due process of law for all of the people of Pakistan.

SEC. 3. Determination regarding General Asim Munir

• (a) Sanctions
  • Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, acting in conjunction with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall impose sanctions on General Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (). 22 U.S.C. 10101 et seq.
• (b) Waiver
  • The President may waive subsection (a) if the President certifies to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations that—
    • military rule has ended in Pakistan and rule of law and civilian-led democracy has been restored; and
    • all wrongfully detained political detainees have been released from detention.

SEC. 4. Authorization of sanctions

• (a) Inadmissibility of officials and individuals involved in the wrongful persecution and imprisonment of Imran Khan
  • (1) In general
    • Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall identify key individuals who are knowingly engaged the wrongful persecution and imprisonment of political detainees in Pakistan including but not limited to former Prime Minister Imran Khan or significantly undermined democracy and furthered military rule for the people of Pakistan including—
      • such individuals who have served as a member of the Government or military of Pakistan; and
      • such individuals who are serving as an official in a leadership position working on behalf of the Government or military of Pakistan, including law enforcement, intelligence, judicial, or local or municipal government.
  • (2) Ineligibility for visas, admission, or parole
    • (A) Visas, admission, or parole
      • An alien with respect to which the President has made an affirmative decision under paragraph (1) shall be—
        • (i) inadmissible to the United States;
        • (ii) ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to enter the United States; and
        • (iii) otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into the United States or to receive any other benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et 16 seq.).
    • (B) Current visas revoked
      • (i) The visa or other entry documentation of any alien described in paragraph (1) is subject to revocation regardless of the issue date of the visa or other entry documentation.
      • (ii) A revocation under subclause (I) shall, in accordance with section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act () take effect immediately, and cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the possession of the alien. 8 U.S.C. 1201(i)
  • (3) Briefing
    • Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress with respect to—
      • any foreign person with respect to which the President has made an affirmative determination under paragraph (1); and
      • the specific facts that justify each such affirmative determination.
  • (4) Waiver
    • The President may waive imposition of sanctions under this subsection on a case-by-case basis if the President determines and certifies to the appropriate committees of Congress that—
      • such waiver would serve national interests; or
      • the circumstances which caused the individual to be ineligible have sufficiently changed.
• (b) Definitions
  • In this section:
    • The terms , , and have the meanings given such terms in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (). admission,admitted,alien 8 U.S.C. 1101
    • The term appropriate committees of Congress means—
    • The term foreign person means any individual that is not a United States person.
    • The term immediate family members,immediate relatives has the meaning given the term in section 1151(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (). 8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(2)(A)(i)
    • The term , with respect to conduct, a circumstance, or a result, means that a person has actual knowledge, or should have known, of the conduct, the circumstance, or the result. knowingly
    • The term United States person means—