The United States (US) has reassured Pakistan once again of its support to end terrorism in the country for the safety of citizens and protection of human rights, Geo reported on Wednesday.
“We support Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism and ensure the safety and security of its citizens in a manner that promotes the rule of law and the protection of human rights,” US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said in a press briefing.
The United States (US) has come forward to clarify that its former envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad’s disapproval of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s attempted arrest and his view on Pakistan’s political situation doesn’t reflect the country’s foreign policy.
State Department Spokesperson Vedant Patel said Zalmay did not speak for the administration of President Joe Biden as he is a “private citizen”.
On March 14, Zalmay tweeted that Khan shouldn’t be arrested as it will deepen the crisis and called for early elections. He also said that Pakistan “despite great potential, is underperforming and falling far behind its archrival, India.”
#Pakistan faces a triple crisis: political, economic, and security. Despite great potential, it is underperforming and falling far behind its archrival, India. It is time for serious soul-searching, bold thinking, and strategizing. Here are my thoughts:
[Thread]— Zalmay Khalilzad (@realZalmayMK) March 14, 2023
After these statements, Pakistan’s Foreign Office advised him to refrain from offering advice on the country’s domestic issues.
Zalmay had served as the special envoy for Afghan reconciliation under both the former US President Trump and current President Joe Biden administrations.
The United States (US) has once again reiterated that there has never been any truth to former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s allegations of Washington DC orchestrating a regime change conspiracy to oust his government.
“As we’ve previously said, there has — there is not and there has never been truth to these allegations, but I don’t have anything additional to offer,” US State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said in reply to a question during a press briefing on Wednesday.
Patel was asked about Imran Khan’s recent interview in which he has said that he no longer “blames the US” for engineering the Vote of No-Confidence that resulted in his government’s ouster, and wants “dignified” ties with the country if he comes back to power.
“The US values our longstanding cooperation with Pakistan and has always viewed a prosperous and democratic Pakistan as critical to US interests. That remains unchanged,” said Patel.
“We support peaceful upholding of democratic, constitutional, and legal principles. And ultimately, we will not let propaganda, misinformation and disinformation get in the way of any bilateral relationship, including our valued bilateral partner with Pakistan.”
Read More: ‘It is over, I want good relations especially with the US’: Khan on his removal
Referring to the alleged conspiracy which the former Prime Minister has insisted upon since April of this year, Khan said that “it was over”, in an interview with the Financial Times.
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s over; it’s behind me. The Pakistan I want to lead must have good relationships with everyone, especially the United States,” he said.