F.P. Report
WASHINGTON, D.C. : The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission will hold a congressional hearing on July 15 to address the escalating political repression in Pakistan, focusing on the suppression of political opposition, journalists, and the erosion of democratic freedoms.
Scheduled from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Room 2255 of the Rayburn House Office Building, the hearing titled “Pakistan: Ongoing Political Repression” will shed light on the Pakistani government’s actions in curtailing media freedoms, suppressing dissent, and undermining free and fair elections.
Witnesses include Jared Genser, Managing Director of Perseus Strategies, and Zulfi Bukhari, a top advisor to imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Additional witnesses may be announced. The session will be open to Members of Congress, staff, the public, and the press, and will also be livestreamed on the Commission’s website and the House Digital Channel.
The hearing will explore how Pakistan’s military continues to wield immense power behind the scenes, with a legacy of 33 years of direct rule out of the country’s 77-year history. According to Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2024 report, the Pakistani military manipulates political processes, suppresses the media, and operates with near-complete impunity.
The repression of Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party since his ouster in 2022 has drawn sharp international criticism. The U.S. State Department labeled Pakistan’s February 2024 elections as marred by “undue restrictions” and violence.
The hearing, co-hosted by Rep. Chris Smith and Rep. James P. McGovern, will evaluate Washington’s response and offer legislative recommendations to support democratic norms and human rights in Pakistan.
For further information, inquiries may be directed to Commission staff members Mark Milosch or Todd Stein.