ISLAMABAD: A senior State Department official denied any American role in bringing Pakistani leaders to power on Monday, saying the administration in Washington had always pursued a policy of engagement toward the South Asian country and worked with all governments over a wide spectrum of issues.
The statement comes only a few weeks ahead of the general elections in Pakistan, which are scheduled to be held by the election commission on Feb. 8.
The deep-rooted suspicion among Pakistanis toward the United States regarding political manipulation has intensified following last year’s ouster of former prime minister Imran Khan, who publicly accused the Biden administration of orchestrating his downfall. American officials have repeatedly denied the allegation but found it difficult to dispel the public perception in Pakistan.
The recent decision of Khan’s political rival, Nawaz Sharif, to end his four-year self-exile in London and return to Pakistan to lead his party’s election campaign, despite a conviction on graft charges from an accountability court, has further fueled suspicions among some about potential political manipulation before the national polls.
“The United States does not play any role in choosing the leaders of Pakistan,” State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said during his media briefing in Washington. “We engage with the leadership shown by – or the leadership decided by the Pakistani people, and we will continue to engage with the Government of Pakistan on all [the important] issues.”
Miller was asked why the United States had not condemned Sharif’s return to the country to carry out political activities despite being convicted by a local accountability court.
The State Department official also responded to a question about mounting tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan in recent weeks, encouraging both countries to resolve their issues diplomatically.
“It’s something that we have been engaged on,” he added. “We’ve detailed the substance of some of those specific engagements over the past few weeks, and we will continue to do so.”
Pakistani officials have accused the government in Kabul of not doing enough to end cross-border militancy after a string of deadly attacks which they blamed on the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) network.
The TTP leadership is said to be based in Afghanistan.
Pakistan has also started deporting unregistered foreigners, mostly Afghans, since November while citing security reasons.
US denies political meddling in Pakistan amid rising suspicions ahead of general elections
https://arab.news/2egfj
US denies political meddling in Pakistan amid rising suspicions ahead of general elections
- State Department says Washington works with all Pakistani administrations over a wide spectrum of issues
- Matthew Miller also urges Pakistan and Afghanistan to find diplomatic solutions to their mounting tensions
Pakistan police repel militant attack on Bannu checkpoint, five officers injured
- Police say several attackers killed or wounded in overnight assault in northwest Pakistan
- Incident comes amid surge in militant attacks Pakistan blames on Afghanistan-based groups
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani police said on Friday they repelled an overnight militant attack on a checkpoint in the northwestern district of Bannu, injuring five officers in an area that has seen a sharp rise in militant violence in recent years.
The attack took place late at night at the Sheikh Landak check post, located within the limits of Huweid police station in Bannu, a district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghan border. Police said officers responded swiftly, preventing the attackers from overrunning the post.
Militant attacks in Pakistan have surged since 2021, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southwestern Balochistan, with security forces frequently targeted. Islamabad says the violence is largely driven by groups it refers to as Fitna Al-Khawarij, a term Pakistani authorities use for militants they say are linked primarily to the Pakistani Taliban and allied factions operating from across the border in Afghanistan. Pakistan has also accused India of backing militant networks involved in attacks, allegations New Delhi denies.
“Late at night, terrorists of Fitna Al-Khawarij carried out a cowardly attack on Sheikh Landak check post,” police said in a statement, adding that officers “displayed full courage, bravery and a timely response, successfully foiling the attack.”
Police said effective retaliatory fire caused “heavy human and material losses” to the attackers, with reports of several militants killed or wounded.
Five police personnel sustained minor injuries during the exchange and were immediately shifted to hospital for treatment, where they are receiving medical care, the statement said.
Following the attack, additional police units were deployed to the area and a search operation was launched to locate any remaining attackers.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government of failing to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul denies the allegation, saying it does not allow its soil to be used against any country.
The accusations have added to tensions between the two neighbors, who have also seen periodic border clashes over the past year.
