The US State Department has stated that the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan is an internal issue for Pakistan.
This comment was part of a larger debate during a recent press conference in which Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the State Department, addressed numerous concerns about Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Patel responded to the United Nations arbitrary detention committee’s determination that Imran Khan’s arrest was unconstitutional, referring to the UN for further clarity on their statement and emphasizing that the US had no additional evaluation to make on the topic.
Yesterday, a UN human rights working committee stated that the former premier’s incarceration is arbitrary and in breach of international law, and that the detained leader should be freed immediately.
There was also “widespread fraud on election day, stealing dozens of parliamentary seats.”
The department repeated its request for Pakistan to uphold human rights and basic freedoms, such as freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and religion.
“We urge the government of Pakistan to uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly the freedom of expression, freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and the freedom of belief as well,” he told reporters.
In response to a question concerning the integrity of Pakistani elections and claims of major cheating, Patel stated that the US will continue to monitor Pakistani elections closely.
“This is something we have continued to discuss with our Pakistani partners, definitely. That remains one of our primary focal areas.”
