US State Department expresses support for Pakistani people’s right to protest peacefully
Washington: The US State Department urged Pakistani authorities to uphold freedoms and human rights and voiced support for the country’s citizens’ right to peaceful protest on Tuesday (local time).
When asked to comment on the changing situation in Pakistan at Tuesday’s US State Department briefing, US Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller gave the aforementioned answer.
Imran Khan, the imprisoned former prime minister of Pakistan, has called for a statewide demonstration, with Islamabad serving as the focal point.
“Revocation of the 26th Amendment and restoration of the Constitution, return of the stolen mandate, release of political prisoners” are the three agenda items that the people are rallying behind, according to his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI).
According to the Tribune, clashes broke out between the police and the populace as hundreds of demonstrators traveled to Islamabad.
Miller said, “So, in Pakistan and around the world, we support freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association,” when questioned about Pakistan’s current state of unrest brought on by demonstrations, sectarian conflicts, suicide bombings, and political disarray. As they strive to maintain law and order, we urge demonstrators to show up peacefully and without resorting to violence, and we urge Pakistani authorities to respect basic freedoms and human rights as well as Pakistan’s laws and constitution.
Imran Khan has been incarcerated for more than 470 days, according to PTI.
Miller said, “We support the right of people inside Pakistan to protest peacefully and we call on the Pakistani authorities to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms,” in response to a question about Pakistan’s future and if it is becoming to resemble Bangladesh.
Following the ‘Final Call’ rallies, Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, requested her husband’s release Monday as convoys from his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, headed for the capital, Islamabad, according to Dawn.
Imran Khan’s PTI has started a national demonstration calling for its leader’s release.
Bushra Bibi assured the supporters that the march would continue until Khan was released, according to Dawn.
