WASHINGTON: US Congressman Brad Sherman raised concerns over what he said was continuous violation of human rights and democracy in Pakistan and called on government to ensure freedom of speech and application of rule of law in country. Sherman is Democrat representing California’s 32nd congressional district.

Earlier, he tweeted that he spoke over phone with PTI Chief Imran Khan and met Dr Asif Mehmood, Pakistani philanthropist and Democratic candidate running against Young Kim in state’s 40th congressional district. In video message shared by PTI on Twitter, Sherman standing alongside Dr Mahmood recalled that ties between United States and Pakistan date back to early 1940s and over years’ two countries had worked together on several global and regional issues.

Pleased @DrMahmood40 was able to come to my home today to discuss recent developments in #Pakistan.

Also pleased that former PM Kahn took the time to discuss issues with us by phone.

Will soon release our video statement.

— Congressman Brad Sherman (@BradSherman) March 11, 2023

“America must support democracy and human rights around world and particularly in Pakistan,” he pointed out. “It is not role of United States to involve itself in Pakistan’s internal governmental matters with respect to Pakistan’s constitutional and democratic process. But we must not shy away from raising our voices for human rights and democracy in Pakistan or anywhere else.

“Government of Pakistan and every government should respect right of people to speak, right to organise, right to demonstrate,” he said. He mentioned recent bombing at Peshawar police Lines masjid in which nearly 80 people mostly policemen were killed.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 13 2023

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