The United States administration has expressed concern over the Pakistani government’s decision to initiate proceedings to ban the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller addressed this issue during a press briefing on Monday, highlighting the complexities of such a political move.
“This marks the beginning of what would be a complex political process, but certainly banning a political party is something that would be a great concern to us,” stated Miller. His comments came in response to a question about the US reaction to the federal government’s recent actions against PTI.
This decision follows recent legal victories for Imran Khan and his party. Last week, an Islamabad judge overturned Khan’s conviction related to illegal marriage, while the top court granted PTI additional parliamentary seats. These rulings were seen as significant setbacks for the coalition government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, potentially disrupting the majority in the National Assembly.
The spokesperson reaffirmed US support for democratic principles and human rights in Pakistan. “We support the peaceful upholding of constitutional democratic principles, including respect for human rights and freedom of expression,” Miller emphasized. He also underscored the importance of the rule of law and equal justice.
As the situation unfolds, the US administration will closely monitor any further decisions by the courts. “As these internal processes continue to play out, we will monitor these decisions and any further decisions by the courts,” Miller added.
The potential ban on PTI has sparked widespread debate within Pakistan and internationally. The implications of such a move could be far-reaching, impacting not only the political landscape in Pakistan but also its relations with key allies, including the United States.
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