The United States officials met with the incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activist, Khadija Salman Shah, in the Kot Lakhpat Jail.
Shah, an acclaimed fashion designer and a US citizen, was apprehended for alleged involvement in the Lahore Corp Commander House (Jinnah House) arson during the tumultuous protests on May 9.
The meeting revolved primarily around the legal aspects of Shah’s potential release.
Following her arrest, Shah and other detained female activists and leaders were subjected to a 14-day judicial remand. Notably, she was granted consular access a day after the US officials’ request.
Due to her dual citizenship, the Ministry of Interior allowed the US consul general in Lahore access to Shah, thus facilitating the meeting between the American officials and the detained PTI activist. During this meeting, discussions about her case and potential options for resolution were held.
Vedant Patel, the State Department spokesman, confirmed Shah’s dual nationality and stated that the US officials had requested consular access to her. Patel hinted that additional US citizens had been detained as well. He emphasized that the US is always ready to provide any necessary assistance to its citizens arrested abroad and that they expect Pakistani authorities to respect all fair-trial guarantees owed to these detainees.
