[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 901 Engrossed in House (EH)]

<DOC>
H. Res. 901

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                         June 25, 2024.
Whereas Pakistan is an important and valued partner of the United States;
Whereas, on December 10, 1948, Pakistan became one of the original signatories 
        to, and supported the creation of, the Universal Declaration of Human 
        Rights (UDHR);
Whereas, on June 23, 2010, Pakistan ratified the International Covenant on Civil 
        and Political Rights (ICCPR);
Whereas, following the end of the most recent period of military rule in 2008, 
        Pakistan completed its first peaceful transition of power between 
        civilian governments led by different political parties in 2013, but the 
        military continues to exert undue influence on the politics of the 
        country;
Whereas, during previous elections, most recently in 2018, election monitors 
        expressed concern about constraints on the freedom of expression and 
        freedom of association and noted allegations of influence by the 
        military-led establishment on the electoral process;
Whereas the Department of State's Country Report on Human Rights Practices has 
        often highlighted significant human rights issues in Pakistan across 
        multiple years, including unlawful, arbitrary, and extrajudicial 
        killings, forced disappearance and arbitrary detention by the state or 
        its agents, the taking of political prisoners, serious restrictions on 
        free expression and media, and substantial interference with the freedom 
        of peaceful assembly and freedom of association;
Whereas, on April 9, 2022, the National Assembly voted to remove Imran Khan as 
        Prime Minister through a vote of no-confidence motion;
Whereas, on August 10, 2023, President Arif Alvi dissolved Pakistan's National 
        Assembly on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to allow for new 
        elections, although the Election Commission of Pakistan subsequently 
        announced the postponement of elections until February 2024 to redraw 
        constituencies of the National Assembly to reflect the 2023 Census;
Whereas, on September 1, 2023, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said 
        the Government ``was committed to safeguarding and upholding the rights 
        of all its citizens'', and that the Government ``would provide 
        constitutional continuity till the next general elections are held in 
        the country'';
Whereas, on February 8, 2024, millions of Pakistanis participated in Pakistan's 
        general election, with record numbers of women, youth, and members of 
        religious and ethnic minority groups registered to vote;
Whereas Pakistan's 2024 general election was marked by allegations by credible 
        international and local observers of interference in the electoral 
        process, including electoral violence, intimidation, arrest of political 
        actors, restrictions to freedom of assembly, restrictions on freedom of 
        expression, and restrictions on access to the internet and 
        telecommunications;
Whereas, on February 9, 2024, the Department of State noted that it shared the 
        assessment of observers that the election included ``undue restrictions 
        on freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly'', 
        condemned ``electoral violence'' as well as ``restrictions on the 
        exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms'', and called for the 
        full investigation of fraud or interference in Pakistan's general 
        elections;
Whereas the Constitution of Pakistan states that ``the Federal Government shall 
        have control and command of the Armed Forces'', and the oath taken by 
        members of the Armed Forces swears they will ``uphold the Constitution'' 
        and ``not engage in any political activities'';
Whereas an essential safeguard of democracy is civilian command and control of 
        apolitical military and security forces; and
Whereas democracy, development, rule of law, and respect for human rights and 
        fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) affirms its strong support for democracy in Pakistan, including 
        free and fair elections reflecting the will of the people of Pakistan;
            (2) calls on the President and the Secretary of State to strengthen 
        engagement with the Government of Pakistan to ensure democracy, human 
        rights, and the rule of law are upheld;
            (3) urges the Government of Pakistan to uphold democratic and 
        electoral institutions, human rights, and the rule of law, and respect 
        the fundamental guarantees of due process, freedom of press, freedom of 
        assembly, and freedom of speech of the people of Pakistan;
            (4) condemns attempts to suppress the people of Pakistan's 
        participation in their democracy, including through harassment, 
        intimidation, violence, arbitrary detention, restrictions on access to 
        the internet and telecommunications, or any violation of their human, 
        civil, or political rights;
            (5) condemns any effort to subvert the political, electoral, or 
        judicial processes of Pakistan; and
            (6) urges the full and independent investigation of claims of 
        interference or irregularities in Pakistan's February 2024 election.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.