Islamabad: Pakistan has rejected the upcoming hearing by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) as driven by political motives, not objective concerns.
The U.S. congressional advisory body is set to hold a hearing on July 15 to discuss alleged human rights violations and political freedoms in Pakistan. However, Pakistani authorities claim the hearing is a targeted campaign by foreign lobbies, particularly those linked to the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), aiming to distort facts for political gain.
Hearing driven by politics, not law
Officials have clarified that the TLHRC has no legislative authority. “It’s a consultative forum. This hearing will not influence U.S. policy or bilateral ties directly,” one official said. According to them, the platform is being used to pressure the current government by exploiting human rights as a political tool.
They emphasized that Pakistan remains committed to human rights obligations under the United Nations and other international frameworks. Reforms continue in areas such as judicial independence, minority protections, and press freedom.
Authorities argue that this hearing is timed deliberately to coincide with lobbying efforts abroad aimed at painting a negative picture of the government. “This is not about human rights. It’s about serving political motives of certain groups abroad,” a senior government representative stated.
Selective scrutiny, double standards
Critics also question the Commission’s silence on other grave humanitarian crises. “Where is the outrage over Israel’s killing of thousands of women and children in Palestine?” asked a human rights analyst. “Why does the West speak selectively when it comes to human rights?”
Officials stress that Pakistan’s institutions are ready to counter what they call “misinformation campaigns.” They call for balanced discourse rather than one-sided narratives.
Still, analysts argue that while external interference should be resisted, Pakistan must also address criticism transparently. Strong data, reforms, and open engagement with the global community are key to winning the information battle.
In sum, Pakistan sees the TLHRC hearing as part of a broader effort to influence its domestic affairs. As international attention grows, the line between advocacy and intervention becomes increasingly blurred—raising the question: are these hearings about rights, or about political motives?
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