ISLAMABAD: The US administration said on Monday it supports freedom of expression in Pakistan “without participating in any violence,” as the South Asian country remains embroiled in political turmoil a week after violent countrywide protests broke out following former prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest.
At least six people were killed as Khan supporters clashed with law enforcers in several cities of the country on May 9, after he was arrested on corruption charges in Islamabad during a court appearance. Khan’s impassioned supporters burned government buildings, stormed sensitive military installations, and vandalized a top army officer’s Lahore residence before setting it ablaze. The ex-premier later received bail and was released for two weeks.
While Khan distanced himself from the violence that occurred during the protests, saying he was detained when the situation unfolded, the Pakistan army reacted strongly to the protests, saying it would take action against “facilitators, planners, and political activists” behind organized attacks on army properties and installations. On Monday, the army said it would take action against the violent protesters under military laws.
During a weekly press briefing, US State Department’s principal deputy spokesperson, Vedant Patel, was asked to comment on the situation in Pakistan with reference to the attacks on government installations.
“So first and foremost, of course, our belief is that individuals should have the freedom to express themselves but do so without participating in any violence, violence that would put government employees in government buildings in harm’s way,” Patel responded.
Patel reiterated that Washington does not have a position on any Pakistani candidate or political party compared to another, adding that it was instead interested in a “safe and secure, prosperous Pakistan.”
Asked about the curbs imposed by the Pakistani government on mainstream and social media in the aftermath of the protests, Patel said he would not be “prescriptive about the current situation” in the country.
As the security situation worsened across the country, Pakistan imposed restrictions on social media platforms Twitter, Facebook and YouTube and banned Internet service.
“I don’t have an assessment to offer from here,” Patel said, in response to Khan’s accusations of the government placing curbs on media in Pakistan. “But broadly, we are very clear about the need for access for media and the access for information and the free flow of information between the government and journalists.”
Meanwhile, in a lengthy Twitter post on Monday, Khan alleged 7,000 supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which include women as well, have been arrested. The former prime minister also rejected the government’s accusations his supporters were involved in looting, arson, and attacks on law enforcers during the protests. Khan says the attacks at certain places were carried out by Pakistan’s intelligence agencies to trigger mayhem and justify a “crackdown” against his party.
Ousted via a parliamentary vote in April 2022, Khan’s PTI and its ally dissolved provincial assemblies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces to put pressure on the government to announce snap elections. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has rejected Khan’s demand and said elections would be held on schedule in October this year.
The controversy has also put the government at loggerheads with the judiciary, after Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial took notice of the delay in elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces and ordered polling to be held in the former on May 14.
