WASHINGTON: US Congress members may urge the Trump administration to consider imposing sanctions on countries that suppress religious freedom and violate human rights, Republican Congressman Christopher H. Smith suggested before a congressional panel.

The bipartisan hearing focused on civil liberties and political freedoms in Pakistan, highlighting reports of repression, persecution of minorities, and efforts to silence dissidents abroad.

`One of the biggest disappointments regardless of who is in the White House or at the State Department is the absence of sanctions,` said Smith, who co-chairs the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC).

Speaking about the political climate in Pakistan, his Democratic counterpart, Congressman James McGovern, added: `They need to know that people are watching. They need to know we don`t like what we are hearing.

Amnesty`s Ben Linden opened his testimony by raising concerns over the situation in Balochistan, as well as religious persecution. `Vaguely worded blasphemy laws are being weaponised by majoritarian religious groups, while the accused have few means to defend themselves.

However, Jared Genser of Perseus Strategies stressed that Washington could not afford to disengage entirely.

`We don`t act that way with any regime. We have to engage. The key is for President Trump and Secretary [of State] Marco Rubio to say very clearly: we want a strong relationship with Pakistan, but this is what needs to be done to get there. And that includes releasing [exprime minister] Imran Khan and other political prisoners,` Genser said.

-Correspondent