Imran Khan’s detention ‘internal matter’ for Pakistan: US State Dept

WASHINGTON, DC: Vedant Patel, US State Department Principal deputy spokesperson said that the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan is an internal matter for Pakistan.

Answering a query during Monday’s press briefing, Vedant Patel added, “In the case of Mr. Khan, you’ve heard us say this before: This is an internal matter for Pakistan. I don’t have any assessment to offer from up here.”

The statement from the United States came hours after the United Nations arbitrary committee for detention said that Imran Khan’s detention is illegal.

Upon asking for his comment on the UN statement, he said, “I’ll let the United Nations offer any clarity on the comments that they’ve provided.”

When asked about the US House of Representatives resolution against Pakistan’s 2024 elections, Vedant Patel said that we’re not going to speak to pending congressional legislation, adding that in the United States of America and our democratic system, Congress is a separate but coequal branch of government.

Furthermore, he added, “Let me just say broadly that when it comes to Pakistan, our most senior officials, whether that be Secretary Blinken, Assistant Secretary Lu, Ambassador Blome, we have consistently and privately and publicly urged Pakistan to respect the rights of its people in line with its constitution and international commitments.”

The principal deputy spokesperson of the State Department urged the Government of Pakistan to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and the freedom of religion as well.