The United States has expressed concern over the recent arrests of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and raids on their offices, stressing the importance of democratic values and the rule of law.
During a press briefing, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller commented on the issue, stressing the need for justice and adherence to constitutional principles in Pakistan.
“We have seen reports of PTI leaders being arrested. We are always concerned when we see opposition leaders being arrested,” Miller said. He further jokingly noted that he was personally concerned about the arrest of any speaker, which drew laughter from the room.
Miller reiterated the US commitment to promote democratic values, justice and the rule of law. “We support the peaceful promotion of constitutional and democratic principles, including the rule of law, equal justice under the law and respect for human rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly,” he declared.
He also pointed out that these principles are enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan and the government should follow them. “We urge that these principles be respected in accordance with Pakistan’s constitution and laws,” Miller added.
On Tuesday, the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation re-sealed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) central office. The building was sealed under the pretext of a lack of fire safety measures.
This development came after PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan was arrested from the party’s central secretariat in Islamabad as the police took away records and computers with them. It was also reported that PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan was also arrested, but these reports were later denied.
