The United States reacted to the chaos in Pakistan following the arrest of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday by calling for the country to respect democratic principles and the rule of law.
According to a spokesperson for the US State Department, the US does not have a position on any political candidate or party. Responding to ANI on Imran Khan’s dramatic arrest in Pakistan, the official called for democratic principles to be respected.
The US State Department spokesperson said, “We are aware of the arrest of former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan. As we have said before, the United States does not have a position on one political candidate or party versus another. We call for the respect of democratic principles and the rule of law around the world.”
Earlier today top diplomats of the United States and United Kingdom during a joint press briefing called for adherence to the “rule of law” in Pakistan.
“We just want to make sure that whatever happens in Pakistan is consistent with the rule of law, with the constitution,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a joint news conference in Washington.
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly stressed “We want to see peaceful democracy in that country. We want to see the rule of law adhered to.”
Brad Sherman, an American lawmaker of the Democratic Party, took to Twitter and expressed concern over the arrest of former Prime Minister
In his tweet, Congressman Sherman emphasized America’s dedication to democracy, the rule of law in Pakistan, US support for human rights and free speech worldwide.
He tweeted, “As I have said several times in recent months regarding #Pakistan, America is dedicated to democracy and rule of law around the world. We stand not with individual politicians but with human rights and free speech.”
To address the issue, Congressman Sherman spoke to Voice of America Urdu and requested that Imran Khan be broadcasted live to assure his supporters that he is safe.
He tweeted, “Just spoke to @voaurdu – they will edit the tape and broadcast. Called for #ImranKhan to be live-streamed so people know he is safe, and for him to have access to attorneys and family.”
Expressing concerns over the images of Khan’s arrest, the lawmaker emphasized the arrests made seem inconsistent with the “claim that this is just about a corruption case.”
Brad Sherman tweeted, “My advisor @DrMahmood40 tells me PTI leaders and workers are being arrested around #Pakistan. This would seem inconsistent with the claim that this is just about a corruption case. In a democracy, elections are held on time and the winners are allowed to govern.”
Rangers arrested Imran Khan outside Islamabad High Court on a warrant issued by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Al-Qadir Trust case. The NAB had opened an investigation into Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and others for the alleged acquisition of hundreds of canals of land in the name of Al Qadir University Trust, which resulted in a 190 million pound loss to the national exchequer.
According to the charges, Imran Khan and the other accused allegedly adjusted Rupees 50 billion – 190 million pounds at the time they were sent to the government by Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA), according to Geo News. On December 26, 2019, the cricketer-turned-politician established the Trust for Al-Qadir University Project.
