Top pick: Gunmen open fire on vehicle in Pakistan, 42 Shiites die
Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 20 May 2023
File photo of Antony Blinken by US Dept. of State on Flickr via Wikimedia Commons
Washington, D.C.: More than 65 members of the United States Congress recently expressed concerns over the current situation in Pakistan and urged State Secretary Antony Blinken to pressurize the Pakistani government to improve the human rights situation in the country, media reports said.
The US Congressmen sent a letter to the State Secretary where it stated as quoted by ANI, “As proponents of a strong US-Pakistan relationship, we write to express our concerns about the current situation in Pakistan and urge you to use all diplomatic tools at your disposal to pressure the Government of Pakistan towards a greater commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.”
“This should include a commitment to investigate any infringement upon freedom of speech and freedom of assembly in Pakistan,” the letter further read.
The letter was coauthored by Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick.
It was signed by 65 other lawmakers.
“We ask for your help pressuring the Government of Pakistan to ensure protestors can assert their demands in a peaceful and non-violent way, free from harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary detention. As both Democrats and Republicans who care about the bilateral relationship, we are concerned that violence and increased political tension could spiral into a deteriorating security situation in Pakistan,” the letter read.