PTI founder’s detention is Pakistan’s internal affair: US

WASHINGTON: The United States has described the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khas as “an internal affair of Pakistan”, hours after a UN working group said the PTI founder’s imprisonment was unlawful.

US State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel has said he would let the UN determine its assessment. He said: “And in the case of Imran Khan, you have heard us say this before: This is an internal matter for Pakistan. I don’t have any assessment that I can offer from here.”

Responding to a question about the US House resolution on Pakistan’s elections during Monday’s routine press conference, he said he would not speak about the upcoming legislation. He said Washington had consistently and privately urged Islamabad to respect the rights of its people.

“Let me say generally that when it comes to Pakistan, our highest officials, whether Secretary Blinken or Ambassador Blome, have consistently, both privately and publicly, urged Islamabad to respect the rights of its people in accordance with its Constitution and global obligations,” he said.

He maintained that they have urged the government of Pakistan to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and freedom of association.

The spokesman reiterated Washington’s position on terrorism and stressed the need to build positive ties with neighbors.