Reps. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif). introduced the “Pakistan Democracy Act” on Monday, seeking to sanction the country's Army chief for “persecution of political opponents” including former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The Hill obtained a copy of the bill, which would place sanctions on Pakistan's military boss within 180 days, under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Violators can be subjected to denial of entry to the United States and ineligibility for U.S. visas.

The bipartisan legislation accuses Pakistani military leader General Asim Munir of "knowingly engaging in the wrongful persecution and imprisonment of political opponents." It further seeks the identification of key individuals involved in this "persecution," and imposing similar bans on them.

It gives the president the power to drop the sanctions if “military rule has ended in Pakistan and rule of law and civilian-led democracy has been restored” and “all wrongfully detained political detainees have been released from detention.”

Wilson has consistently demanded the release of Khan, who was arrested in August 2023, and blamed Pakistan’s military for his “unjust detention.”

“Mr. Khan is clearly a political prisoner,” Wilson told The Hill, adding that he has written a letter to President Trump urging him to “put pressure on Pakistan's military leadership including through visa bans, to restore democracy and release Mr. Khan.”

Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have sought........

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