US State Department spokesperson calls on protesters to “demonstrate peacefully and refrain from violence”
News Desk
WASHINGTON: Amid Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers’ clashes with the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) personnel as the former press on towards Islamabad, the United States has called for restraint from both sides.
“We call on Pakistani authorities to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to ensure respect for Pakistan’s laws and constitution as they work to maintain law and order,” said US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller while speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday.
Furthermore, Washington also urged the protesters to “demonstrate peacefully and refrain from violence”.
Washington’s remarks come against the martyrdom of two police personnel, including constable Muhammad Mubashir Bilal, after allegedly being attacked by protesters.
The situation has been tense in the federal capital after PTI workers, demanding the release of their founder, managed to enter Islamabad in various convoys after defying roadblocks and other preventive measures taken by the incumbent government.
The PTI workers’ march towards Islamabad was marred by sporadic clashes with the police as the latter resorted to tear gas shelling to deter the former’s progress.
Apart from the martyred cops, as many as four Rangers personnel were also martyred after being run over by a vehicle on Srinagar Highway, security sources confirmed on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the federal government has deployed Pakistan Army troops in Islamabad under Article 245 of the Constitution.
This isn’t the first time the US has commented on Pakistani politics as in October over 60 members of the House of Representatives penned a letter to US President Joe Biden calling for Khan’s release who has been behind bars for more than a year now.
The letter was followed by another communique earlier this month after 46 US Congress members urged President Biden to “advocate for the immediate release” of the PTI founder.
