WASHINGTON – The US State Department on Tuesday urged Pakistan to uphold fundamental human rights.
The demand comes after a United Nations body condemned Imran Khan’s detention and termed the cases against him as “politically motivated”.
Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel emphasized that US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Assistant Secretary Donald Lu and Ambassador Donald Blome consistently called on Pakistan to respect the rights of its citizens in accordance with its constitution and international commitments.
He made these remarks while holding a press briefing on Tuesday.
While he declined to comment on the pending congressional legislation, he underscored the importance of respecting human rights.
The UN body also highlighted issues during the 2024 elections, including arrests, torture of PTI members, and disrupted rallies, along with allegations of election fraud.
The State Department reiterated that Imran Khan’s detention is an internal matter for Pakistan.
“In the case of Khan, you’ve heard us say this before: This is an internal matter for Pakistan,” said Patel, adding that the credibility of Pakistani elections remains a focus for the US, emphasizing ongoing discussions with Pakistani partners.
“We urge the Government of Pakistan to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and freedom of religion,” said Patel.
A day earlier Geneva-based UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention had declared that the PTI founder’s detention was arbitrary and violated international law. The group recommended Khan’s immediate release and compensation, describing his legal troubles as part of a broader campaign of repression against him and his party.
