The leader of PTI Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, former assistant of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, will offer testimony about “political repression” in Pakistan before the Human Rights Commission of Tom Lantos of the United States Congress, arose on Monday.
According to its website, the Bipartisan Commission was established in 2008 and is responsible for promoting, defending and advocating international human rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant human rights instruments.
The commission hearing notice establishes that the session will take place on Tuesday (tomorrow) at 3:30 pm (12:30 am Wednesday) and “will examine the persecution of the Pakistan government of the figures and political journalists of the opposition, and their actions to control the communications of the media and avoid free and fair elections in Pakistan.” The session is open to the public and the media.
“Many fail in the current phase of repression in Pakistan until 2022, when, with the participation of the Pakistan army, the popular Prime Minister Imran Khan was expelled, and shortly after, arrested, condemned by corruption and imprisoned,” said the notice.
“The parliamentary elections in February 2024 were, according to the United States Department of State, marked by” undue restrictions on freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly “, as well as” electoral violence and restrictions in the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms, “he added.
The Commission provided a list of witnesses that would provide testimony during the hearing on Tuesday. In addition to Bukhari, the list includes the director of defense of Amnesty International for Europe and Central Asia, Ben Linden; The managing director of Persus Strategies, Jared Genser; and the founder of Afghanistan Impact Network Sadiq Amini.
A press release from the commission co -chair, Republican congressman Christopher Smith, who will preside over the session, said the meeting “would discuss the ongoing political repression of the Pakistan government, the response of the United States and offer recommendations for Congress.”
Bukhari announced that he would testify before the commission in a position on X dated July 9, expressing his gratitude to the commission’s co -chants, Democratic congressman James McGovern and Smith, for the opportunity to testify.
“I will highlight the arbitrary detention of Imran Khan, his wife and other political prisoners, as well as the erosion of democracy, the undercut of the rule of law and the growing repression of freedom of expression in Pakistan,” he wrote.
Menser responded to Bukhari’s publication, writing: “I am honored and grateful to testify with you before the [Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission] about Pakistan, Human Rights and the situation of Imran Khan and all political prisoners that the current regime is delayed. “
Imran, imprisoned since August 2023, is complying with a sentence in the Adiala jail in the case of corruption of £ 190 million and also faces pending essays under the anti -terrorist law related to the protests of May 9, 2023.
In May, annual Freedom Network Freedom of Expression and Freedom Report By 2025, Pakistan’s media are standing at a crossroads in the middle of an existential threat and a greater restrictive environment, deteriorating occupational safety and safety, significant challenges for the professional integrity of the media and their professionals.
Entitled ‘Freedom of expression and journalism of public interest under Siege’, the report considers that the existential crisis was caused by amendments to the Law on the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (PECA) in January 2025 that now “facilitates” that the authorities arrest, fine and imprison journalists and dissidents, both offline and online, in addition to other challenges.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Human Rights Commission (HRCP), the country’s main human rights surveillance agency, has also expressed a deep concern for the constantly reduced space for the defense of human rights in the country.
In a statement issued earlier this month, the HRCP said it had faced a series of arbitrary, illegal and unjustified actions in recent months, which have prevented the organization’s ability to carry out its mandate.
