Washington, D.C. – Pakistani American diaspora organizations, First Pakistan Global, CUSP (Center for United States-Pakistan Engagement), and CAPJ (Council on American-Pakistani Justice), organized a Congressional Seminar to draw attention to the November 26, 2024, tragedy in Islamabad, where security forces opened fire on peaceful, pro-democracy civilians. The attack left more than a dozen dead, hundreds missing or imprisoned, and underscored Pakistan’s alarming slide away from democratic norms.
Held at Capitol Hill, the seminar aimed to brief Members of Congress about the escalating human rights crisis in Pakistan and demand accountability for the tragic events that unfolded in the heart of its capital. The Islamabad tragedy has sent shockwaves through the global community, but the Pakistani regime’s ongoing suppression of coverage and targeting of journalists has hindered transparency.
“This was not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of democratic backsliding,” said one of the speakers. The seminar highlighted a range of troubling issues in Pakistan, including:
• Widespread political persecution and mass arrests of dissenters.
• Restrictions on free speech and journalism, with journalists facing intimidation and exile.
• Gross human rights violations, including enforced disappearances and military trials for civilians.
• Allegations of election rigging during the February 2024 polls, undermining judicial independence, and violating the rule of law.
• Targeted harassment of U.S. citizens and residents critical of Pakistan’s regime, amounting to transnational repression.
Advocacy groups at the seminar called for international accountability, urging U.S. lawmakers to consider applying Magnitsky Act sanctions against those responsible for human rights violations in Pakistan. Speakers also called for a transparent investigation into the November 26 shooting, emphasizing its classification as a crime against humanity.
The seminar also addressed the role of Pakistan’s military in perpetuating these abuses, calling for global scrutiny of its generals and their unchecked influence over civilian institutions.
“This tragedy is a sobering reminder of the cost of silence. We stand in solidarity with the victims and demand justice,” said one of the attendees.
The event featured testimonies from victims’ families, legal experts, and human rights advocates, all urging U.S. lawmakers to take decisive action. The Pakistani diaspora is determined to bring international attention to the crisis, leveraging their platform to advocate for the restoration of democracy, human rights, and rule of law in Pakistan.
The seminar concluded with a powerful call to action, urging the U.S. and the global community to address Pakistan’s democratic crisis before the situation worsens further.
