Key US senator expresses concern over human rights situation in Pakistan

• US lawmakers, including Senator Bob Menendez and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson, have voiced concerns regarding the state of human rights in Pakistan, particularly in light of the arrests and trial of individuals involved in the May 9 vandalism.
• Senator Menendez, in a meeting with Pakistani-American doctor Asif Mahmood, expressed his apprehension over the treatment of leaders, workers, and supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) after their arrests. He emphasized the importance of stability, respect for human rights, and the rule of law.
• Dr. Mahmood highlighted the democratic and human rights crisis in Pakistan and called for US intervention during the meeting with Senator Menendez in California.

US lawmakers, including Senator Bob Menendez and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson, have expressed concerns about the state of human rights in Pakistan, particularly in relation to the arrests and trial of individuals involved in the May 9 vandalism. Senator Menendez, the Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, raised apprehensions regarding the treatment of leaders, workers, and supporters of the PTI after their arrests following the May 9 incidents. During a meeting with Pakistani-American doctor Asif Mahmood, Senator Menendez emphasized the importance of stability, respect for human rights, and the rule of law.

Dr. Mahmood shared his concerns about the democratic and human rights crisis in Pakistan during the meeting and called for US intervention to address the situation. In a video shared by PTI USA Official Twitter, Senator Menendez can be heard stating the need for stability and respecting human rights and the rule of law.

PTI leaders in the US, Sajjad Burki and Atif Khan, held meetings with Senator John Cornyn in Texas, where they claimed that the senator assured them of raising the matter in the US Senate. They also mentioned that a bill would be passed with consensus from both Republicans and Democrats, and the US State Department would be apprised of the issue.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson, as the head of the Pakistan caucus in the US House of Representatives, expressed her concerns about reports of human rights abuses and the lack of protection for peaceful protesters in Pakistan. She tweeted that she would write to President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken to address these human rights violations against the opposition and others. She further emphasized the need to maintain a democratic Pakistan and promote the US-Pakistani relationship.

The statements from Senator Menendez, Senator Cornyn, and Congresswoman Jackson come at a time when preparations are underway for a conference on the human rights situation in Pakistan, scheduled to take place in the third week of June at Capitol Hill. The PTI, being more active in the US compared to other Pakistani political groups, has engaged with numerous Congress members who are expected to participate in the conference.

These concerns raised by US lawmakers highlight the international attention on the human rights situation in Pakistan and the need for accountability and protection of rights in the country.