- The United States also refutes allegations of involvement in Khan’s ouster.
- Claims that the United States played any role are “false,” Miller said.
- He added that politics in Pakistan is “a matter for the people of Pakistan to decide”.
WASHINGTON: The US State Department has reiterated its position on the ongoing legal proceedings against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, saying it is a matter for the Pakistani courts to decide.
“As we have said many times, legal proceedings against a former prime minister are a matter for the courts of Pakistan to decide,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.
At a press conference on Tuesday, the spokesperson also refuted allegations of US involvement in Khan’s ouster.
“Claims that the United States played any role in his removal from office are false.”
Miller added that he has raised this issue “many times from this podium” and that “Pakistan’s politics is ultimately a matter for the people of Pakistan to decide in accordance with their laws and constitution.”
The spokesperson’s statement was in response to a journalist’s comment about US diplomat Donald Lew’s involvement in the former prime minister’s ouster.
Khan, who has been imprisoned in Adiala prison since August last year, claimed that the US was behind his ouster in 2022, citing a code allegedly linked to the US envoy.
Mr Miller also reacted to how MPs who wrote a letter to President Joe Biden calling for the ousted prime minister’s release were being disrespected on social media.
“What I can tell you is that we don’t know who is ultimately behind disseminating that information, but if people have an issue that they want to engage with regarding a U.S. government official, it’s likely that it’s an executive branch official. “They talk about the merits of those issues instead of talking about the religion or the sexual orientation of the people they should be engaging with, whether they’re members of Congress or U.S. Congressional staff,” he said.
The State Department also confirmed earlier this week that it had received a letter written by 60 members of Congress to the Biden administration.
“We will respond appropriately to our members,” Miller said.
A letter signed by 60 members of Congress on October 23 called on the Biden administration to support human rights and democracy in Pakistan, and called for the release of Imran and other political prisoners.
The letter also highlighted, among other things, the crackdown on internet and social media platforms and allegations of election fraud.
In a letter, members of Congress called on Biden to use Washington’s influence in Islamabad to secure the release of the jailed former ruling party founder, but Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) called the move a “national-to-national” move. “This act violates diplomatic norms.” ”.
