HR 2311
Pakistan Democracy Act
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- Passed House
- Passed Senate
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Bill overview
The Pakistan Democracy Act authorizes the U.S. to impose sanctions on foreign individuals involved in the wrongful persecution and imprisonment of political opponents in Pakistan, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan. It aims to support a democratic Pakistan based on civilian rule and the rule of law, and specifically targets General Asim Munir. The bill allows the President to waive sanctions if conditions in Pakistan improve, such as the restoration of civilian rule and the release of political detainees, and establishes a process for Congress to be briefed on those targeted.
Key provisions
- Sanctions will be imposed on General Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan.
- The President will identify individuals involved in the wrongful persecution and imprisonment of political detainees, including those associated with Imran Khan.
- Individuals identified will be ineligible for U.S. visas, admission, or parole.
- Existing U.S. visas for designated individuals will be revoked.
- The Secretary of State will brief Congress on individuals subject to sanctions.
- The President can waive sanctions on a case-by-case basis if it serves U.S. national interests or circumstances have changed.
- The bill defines key terms related to immigration and sanctions.
- The bill establishes a process for determining which individuals are subject to sanctions.
Who is affected
- Pakistan
- Foreign individuals involved in political persecution and imprisonment
- Imran Khan
- General Asim Munir
- U.S. citizens and residents (through visa restrictions)
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Primary sponsor
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 2311
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To authorize the imposition of sanctions with respect to certain foreign persons who have knowingly engaged in the wrongful persecution and imprisonment of political opponents in Pakistan, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Pakistan Democracy Act
.
It is the policy of the United States to support a democratic Pakistan, including free and fair elections, that is based upon civilian rule, restoration of judicial independence, rule of law, human rights, and due process of law for all of the people of Pakistan.
such individuals who have served as a member of the Government or military of Pakistan; and
such individuals who are serving as an official in a leadership position working on behalf of the Government or military of Pakistan, including law enforcement, intelligence, judicial, or local or municipal government.
An alien with respect to which the President has made an affirmative decision under paragraph (1) shall be—
inadmissible to the United States;
ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to enter the United States; and
otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into the United States or to receive any other benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et 16 seq.).
The visa or other entry documentation of any alien described in paragraph (1) is subject to revocation regardless of the issue date of the visa or other entry documentation.
A revocation under subclause (I) shall, in accordance with section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i)) take effect immediately, and cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the possession of the alien.
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress with respect to—
any foreign person with respect to which the President has made an affirmative determination under paragraph (1); and
the specific facts that justify each such affirmative determination.
The President may waive imposition of sanctions under this subsection on a case-by-case basis if the President determines and certifies to the appropriate committees of Congress that—
such waiver would serve national interests; or
the circumstances which caused the individual to be ineligible have sufficiently changed.
In this section:
The terms admission, admitted, and alien have the meanings given such terms in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101).
The term appropriate committees of Congress means—
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and
the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
The term foreign person means any individual that is not a United States person.
The term knowingly, with respect to conduct, a circumstance, or a result, means that a person has actual knowledge, or should have known, of the conduct, the circumstance, or the result.
The term United States person means—
a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States; or
any person within the United States.