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MICHIGAN: As Pakistan continues to grapple with the fallout from an unprecedented economic and political crisis, US Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin has raised concerns about alleged human rights violations in the country of 220 million people.
In an address to Pakistani doctors in Michigan, the US congresswoman spoke at length about the issue, claiming that the people of Pakistan are going through a difficult time and are being “deprived of the basic rights of democracy.”
“They have lost several basic, fundamental rights, such as the right to express themselves, the right to assemble, and the right to choose their own future,” she explained.
Slotkin went on to say that she has been trying to rally 100 Congressmen to write to Secretary of State Antony Blinken in order to improve the deteriorating situation in Pakistan and restore “democratic” values in the country.
‘Pakistani political parties must follow the rule of law.’
Last week, Brad Sherman, a US representative from California’s 32nd congressional district, urged Pakistani political parties to follow Supreme Court rulings.
Pakistan’s political crisis has worsened as the ruling alliance refuses to implement the Supreme Court’s decision on provincial elections.
On a phone call, the US lawmaker discussed the Supreme Court’s order to hold elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.
He allegedly urged PTI chief to follow the rule of law and the Supreme Court’s decision.
Sherman took to Twitter to share some of the details of his conversation with the deposed prime minister. He expressed surprise that Khan was working in the early hours of the morning.
“For democracies to function, parties must follow the rule of law and Supreme Court rulings,” Sherman wrote on Twitter.
The verdict in the election delay case in favor of PTI, which has been demanding new elections in the country for nearly a year, was a victory for the party.
US congressmen and influential figures have recently spoken out in support of Khan, particularly since his party hired another lobbying firm in Washington.
