PRIA Logo™
119-hr-2311119th Congress

Pakistan Democracy Act

Sponsored By: Representative Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would use targeted sanctions to pressure Pakistan's military and officials to restore civilian rule and stop the wrongful detention of political opponents. It aims to promote free elections, judicial independence, and due process in Pakistan.

Show full summary
  • For political prisoners and opposition figures: It would authorize sanctions tied to the wrongful persecution and imprisonment of Imran Khan and other political opponents, sending a U.S. signal demanding releases and fair treatment.
  • For specific Pakistani leaders: The Secretary of State, working with the Secretary of the Treasury, would be required to impose sanctions on General Asim Munir under the Global Magnitsky Act within 180 days and to identify other key individuals who knowingly undermine democracy.
  • For travel and oversight: Identified foreign persons would be ineligible for visas or admission and could have existing visas revoked immediately. The Secretary of State must brief congressional committees within 90 days, and the President may waive sanctions for national interest or if civilian rule returns and detainees are freed.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Sanctions on Pakistan army chief

If enacted, the Secretary of State, with the Treasury, would need to impose sanctions on General Asim Munir within 180 days under the Global Magnitsky Act. The President could waive these sanctions only if he certifies to the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees that military rule in Pakistan has ended. He would also have to certify that civilian-led democracy and the rule of law are restored. He must certify that all wrongfully detained political detainees have been released.

Visa bans for Pakistan persecutors

If enacted, the President would have 180 days to name people who helped persecute political opponents in Pakistan or pushed military rule. The list could include government, military, police, intelligence, judicial, or local officials. Those named would be barred from U.S. visas, entry, or parole, and any current visas would be revoked right away. The Secretary of State would brief the relevant House and Senate committees within 90 days on who was named and why. The President could grant case-by-case waivers if it serves U.S. interests or if the facts have changed.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]

SC • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/27/2025

  • Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 4/9/2025

  • Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 4/17/2025

  • Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

    IN • D

    Sponsored 4/28/2025

  • Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/28/2025

  • Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 4/28/2025

  • Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 4/29/2025

  • Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 5/1/2025

  • Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 5/6/2025

  • Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2025

  • Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 5/9/2025

  • Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 6/3/2025

  • Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]

    NJ • R

    Sponsored 7/16/2025

  • Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 9/2/2025

  • Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 12/12/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation