Matthew Miller said the United States supports freedom of expression and opposes acts of violence where appropriate.
- The Pakistani people have suffered greatly at the hands of terrorists, Miller said.
- “We have common interests when it comes to threats to regional security,” he said.
- Regarding the May 9 riots, Miller said the United States opposes “acts of violence.”
WASHINGTON: The US State Department has acknowledged Pakistan’s unparalleled sacrifices and contributions in the fight against terrorism and said the Pakistani people have suffered greatly at the hands of terrorists.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller made the comments at a press conference in Washington on Monday.
“The people of Pakistan have suffered immensely at the hands of terrorists.”
Pakistan’s people and armed forces have made unparalleled sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. The country has lost over 80,000 lives at the hands of terrorists and suffered huge economic losses. The people and armed forces have won the long battle that lasted for over a decade to eradicate the menace of terrorism.
More than 260 officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army lost their lives in the line of duty in 2023 alone. Moreover, at least 750 civilians lost their lives in terror attacks last year, data shared by Pakistani media revealed. Apps.
Miller also said the two countries have a common interest in addressing threats to regional security.
“We partner with various Pakistani civilian entities and are in regular consultation with the Pakistani government, including at our annual High-Level Counterterrorism Dialogue, to identify opportunities for capacity building and enhancing regional security.”
Responding to a separate question about the May 9 unrest, the spokesman said his country supported freedom of expression in its lawful forms and opposed acts of violence.
“We support lawful free expression, including the right to protest and the right to peaceful assembly, and oppose acts of violence.”
He said all protests should be peaceful and that “the government should be consistent in its approach to the rule of law and freedom of speech.”
The May 9 riots broke out across much of the country following the arrest of outgoing Prime Minister Imran Khan over a £190 million settlement lawsuit last year. Hundreds of PTI functionaries and senior officials have been jailed for their roles in the violence and attacks on military installations.
During the protests, miscreants targeted civilian and military installations, including Jinnah House and General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The army termed May 9 as “Black Day” and decided to prosecute the protesters under the Army Act.
