News Desk
Washington, — The White House on Thursday quashed speculation about a potential visit by President Donald Trump to Pakistan, clarifying that no such trip is scheduled “at this time.” The statement followed erroneous reports by Pakistani television channels claiming Trump would visit in September, alongside a trip to India.
These reports, later retracted, underscored the volatility of Pakistan’s media landscape and its fraught relationship with the United States, where diplomatic engagement is increasingly overshadowed by concerns over human rights abuses. The White House’s clarification came as Pakistan’s Foreign Office and the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad distanced themselves from the rumors, with officials stating they had “no information” or “nothing to announce.”
The last U.S. president to visit Pakistan was George W. Bush in 2006, a reminder of the rarity of such high-level exchanges. Yet, recent diplomatic overtures, including an unprecedented White House meeting last month between Trump and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, suggest an effort to maintain ties despite growing tensions. Adding a curious twist, Pakistan’s government recently nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, a move critics view as a bid to curry favor amid strained relations.
However, Pakistan’s human rights record is drawing sharp criticism in Washington, threatening to undermine these diplomatic gestures. At a recent bipartisan congressional hearing held by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, Republican Congressman Christopher H. Smith called for the Trump administration to consider sanctions against countries like Pakistan for suppressing religious freedom and civil liberties. Smith highlighted the underuse of the International Religious Freedom Act, noting that Pakistan’s ongoing persecution of religious minorities and political dissidents demands action.
Over 300 blasphemy cases were registered in Pakistan in 2024, often targeting Muslims and leading to extrajudicial killings, according to human rights reports. The hearing painted a grim picture of Pakistan’s civic space.
Amnesty International’s Ben Linden condemned the detention of Baloch activists, including Dr. Mahrang, and the crackdown on supporters of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. He described the blocking of U.S.-based YouTube channels critical of Pakistan’s military as “totally unacceptable,” reflecting a broader assault on free expression.
Jared Genser of Perseus Strategies urged the U.S. to demand the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and other political prisoners, citing 200 politically motivated cases against Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and Civicus Monitor have labeled the country’s civic space as “repressed,” with Freedom House ranking Pakistan as “partly free” due to declining political rights. Lawmakers also raised alarms about Pakistan’s treatment of its diaspora, with reports of abductions of dissidents’ family members in Pakistan following protests in the U.S. A bipartisan bill introduced by Congressmen Jimmy Panetta and Joe Wilson in March 2025 seeks sanctions on Pakistani officials for alleged human rights violations, while others have pressed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to secure Khan’s release. Sadiq Amini, a witness at the hearing, accused Pakistan of duplicity in its U.S. relations, alleging Khan misled Trump during his first term to push a flawed Taliban peace deal, contributing to Afghanistan’s current “gender apartheid” regime and the deportation of Afghan refugees.
As Pakistan navigates its complex relationship with the U.S., the contrast between its diplomatic overtures and domestic repression is stark. Trump’s confirmed state visit to Britain from September 17 to 19, hosted by King Charles, and India’s upcoming Quad summit signal his administration’s focus on strategic alliances.
Yet, Pakistan’s bid to strengthen ties, exemplified by Munir’s Washington visit and the Nobel nomination, risks being overshadowed by its human rights failures. Without meaningful reforms, Pakistan may face increased U.S. pressure, including potential sanctions, as lawmakers signal a tougher stance on its deteriorating civic freedoms.
