The US State Department has called for arrests related to the recent violent protests in Pakistan to be conducted lawfully.
The statement arrives amid a rigorous crackdown on leaders and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members, who have been implicated in the civil unrest following the arrest of party head Imran Khan on May 9 in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
The conflict lasted nearly three days and resulted in at least 10 fatalities and multiple injuries, saw PTI activists wreaking havoc on public properties and invading military facilities nationwide.
In a routine press briefing on Monday, Vedant Patel, the spokesperson for the US State Department, emphasized the importance of non-violent protests. He cautioned against damaging government properties or personnel during demonstrations and underlined the US’s clear stance on the freedom of the press and access to information.
Read: Imran Khan Accuses Unnamed Agencies of Inciting Violence Amid PTI’s Protest
He reiterated that the US does not favor any particular political party or leader in Pakistan. Moreover, he emphasized a strong, stable, and prosperous Pakistan’s vital role in the US-Pakistan relationship.
The previous week, the US and the UK advocated for a democratic approach to protests against Khan’s arrest. Patel urged Khan’s supporters to protest peacefully and called on Pakistani authorities to respond within democratic rights and regulations.
After PTI activists and supporters attacked military facilities on May 9, a day labeled as “Black Day” by the army, the military’s highest-ranking officers pledged to prosecute protesters and their accomplices under relevant laws, including the Pakistan Army Act and the Official Secrets Act. This decision was made during a Special Corps Commanders Conference (CCC) at the General Headquarters, chaired by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, as per an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement.
The ISPR statement expressed a firm commitment to bring those involved in these grave offenses against military installations, personnel, and equipment to justice. However, the military leadership also decided to abandon restraint against those who attack military facilities under any circumstances.
Subsequently, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that the decision to prosecute PTI activists under the Pakistan Army Act was pending, following the military’s stern warning to those responsible for the attacks.
