WASHINGTON: Unrest in Pakistan, which faces watershed elections this year, has led to unrest on Capitol Hill as a senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee highlighted the need for the United States to side with democracy and not with the leaders more pliable to Washington.
Brad Sherman, a prominent representative for California and a record 13-term member of the House of Representatives for the Democratic Party, posted his address on his official Twitter account on Saturday as well.
“I would like to address recent events in Pakistan,” he told the House Speaker, raising the current political dispute, apparently for the first time, inside the US Congress.
“In evaluating those events, some would say America should root for whichever political leader styles himself as more pro-American and has been easier for us to deal with on this or that bilateral issue,” he added.
See my speech from the House Floor on democracy in #Pakistan ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/HBONErlun7
— Congressman Brad Sherman (@BradSherman) April 28, 2023
“But I would say, and I think the State Department agrees, that what comes first is our dedication to democracy and the rule of law.”
The US member admitted that Mr. Khan was not as malleable as some other Pakistani political heavyweights were. Mr. Khan had last year accused Washington of overthrowing his administration but later dropped the accusation.
“Imran Khan was challenging for us to handle. Prime Minister Sharif, a little bit simpler. However, democracy and the rule of law are in question,” he said.
In a letter sent to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the beginning of April, Mr. Sherman urged him to “use all diplomatic channels to urge Pakistani authorities to investigate the alleged abuses and to hold accountable anyone who may be responsible.”
Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, who negotiated the US deal with the Taliban, is also prominent among those urging the Pakistani government to implement the SC decision to hold Punjab elections.
