During a press briefing, the United States Department of State addressed concerns about former US diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad’s recent comments on Pakistan’s political situation.
A Pakistani journalist asked Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson, to clarify Khalilzad’s statements, as there was a general sentiment in Pakistan that they expressed the US government’s position.
Patel quickly clarified that Khalilzad’s social media activity, comments, and tweets were made in his private capacity as a citizen and did not represent the official stance of the US administration. Khalilzad, who has been commenting on Pakistan’s political issues, is not a spokesperson for Washington’s foreign policy.
In addition to addressing concerns about Khalilzad’s comments, Patel was asked about the current political chaos in Pakistan, specifically referring to Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah’s alleged public death threats to former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Patel stated that the US government has previously maintained that any implication of violence, harassment, or intimidation has no place in politics.
He encouraged all sides in Pakistan to respect the rule of law and allow the people of Pakistan to democratically determine their own country’s leadership pursuant to their constitution and laws. Patel refrained from commenting directly on the interior minister’s remarks, maintaining that speaking or reacting to those comments was not his place.
Khalilzad’s recent statements have been a point of contention, as he has been expressing his opinions on Pakistan’s political situation and offering specific proposals, despite being a private citizen. His commentary has prompted discussions about how his viewpoints reflect the US government’s perspective.
