US Congressman Krishnamoorthi Demands Action Against Islamabad Crackdown

Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi has issued a sharp rebuke of the U.S. administration’s diplomatic stance toward Pakistan, accusing the current leadership of enabling authoritarian overreach. The Illinois lawmaker is calling for the immediate release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan amid a deepening crisis of political repression in the country.

Editorial·October 15, 2026·reads: 1,554

US Congressman Krishnamoorthi Demands Action Against Islamabad Crackdown

The criticism follows President Asif Ali Zardari’s declaration of a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 11, 2026. Invoking Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, the federal government suspended the province's elected administration to impose direct Governor's Rule. This shift effectively centralizes control, stripping the local government of its administrative and political authority.

Following the decree, authorities launched an aggressive operation against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, resulting in the detention of numerous officials, including provincial chief minister Sohail Afridi. Krishnamoorthi contends that Washington’s continued engagement with military chief Asim Munir provides tacit support for these actions. He argues that U.S. foreign policy must pivot to prioritize the rights of the Pakistani people and the restoration of democratic processes over strategic alignment with the military establishment.