Shahbaz Gill, the trusted aide of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has made a bold move by registering himself as a foreign agent for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the United States. Gill, who is currently residing in the US, complied with the US Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) and received an official registration number from the US Department of Justice.
Gill’s decision comes amidst his ongoing legal battle, facing sedition charges in Pakistan. Initially granted permission by the Lahore High Court (LHC) to travel abroad for one month, Gill has now filed a plea seeking an extension of his stay in the US.
The registration documents submitted by Gill on May 11 reveal that he engaged in nine meetings with American citizens between April 19 and May 9 this year, all discussing the pressing issue of human rights violations in Pakistan.
In his written statement, Gill emphasized that his role as a foreign agent was purely honorary and devoid of financial gain. He professed his unwavering belief in PTI’s vision and expressed his commitment to promoting their political struggle for democracy and the rule of law. Gill’s mission in the US includes meeting with government officials, attending public protests, and engaging with Pakistani Americans to raise awareness about the current political crisis in Pakistan, the violations of human rights, and the suppression of freedom of speech.
With the aim of enhancing the understanding of governance in Pakistan and shedding light on the country’s democratic values, Gill intends to seek meetings with congressional representatives, senators, and officials from the State Department and the Department of Justice.
