Tom Lanto’s Human Rights Commission for the US Congress is holding a consultation to investigate the ‘ongoing oppression of political opposition’ in Pakistan, according to a message published on the Commission’s official site.
The consultation, which is scheduled to be held in person and streamed online on July 16 at 1 p.m. 12:30 pst, will focus on the actions of the Pakistani government that allegedly restrict political freedoms, including the treatment of opposition policy figures, the oppression of independent journalism and control over media and communication.
Hearing Message – Pakistan: Continuous Political Suppression
Date: Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Time: 2:00 – 16:00
Location: Rayburn 2255Details:
– Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (@tlhumanrights) July 9, 2025
The Commission stated that it will assess the consequences of these actions for democracy and human rights in Pakistan. It is tasked with promoting, defending and advocating for international human rights as described in the universal declaration of human rights and other important human rights frameworks.
According to the announcement, many observers trace the current oppression to 2022, when the then Prime Minister Imran Khan was removed from Embed, later convicted of corruption and imprisonment.
The US Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Land Report from 2023 on human rights practices highlights several human rights concerns in Pakistan, including enforced disappearance, extra court killings, persecution of religious and ethnic minorities and transnational oppression.
The Commission noted that in February 2024, Pakistan’s parliamentary elections were characterized by “unnecessary restrictions on freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly,” as well as events with electoral violence and fundamental rights, as described in a statement from the US state department.
Witnesses planned to testify include Ben Linden from Amnesty International, Human Rights Lawyer Jared Gense, Sadiq Amini from Afghanistan Impact Network, and Zulfikar Bukhari, an adviser to Imran Khan.
The consultation is open to members of Congress, the staff, the public and the media. It is streamed live on the Commission’s Website and on House Digital Channel.
