The United States has expressed profound concern over Pakistan’s decision to ban former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. In a press briefing, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the ban on a political party is a complex political process and that banning a political party raises significant concerns for the U.S. This emphasis on the U.S.’s concern is likely to make the audience feel the gravity of the situation.
The U.S. statement comes in response to the Pakistani government’s announcement of the ban on PTI. Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar cited reasons such as the foreign funding case, which involves allegations of illegal funding from foreign sources, and the May 9 riots, a violent incident during a PTI rally, as grounds for the ban. He also mentioned a resolution passed in the U.S. that criticized PTI’s handling of the riots. These reasons were used to justify the government’s declaration that PTI and Pakistan cannot coexist.
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Moreover, the U.S. spokesperson reiterated the U.S.’s strong support for the peaceful upholding of constitutional and democratic principles, including respect for human rights and freedom of expression. This commitment was underscored in the context of the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s order to restore reserved seats to PTI, with the U.S. pledging to monitor any further court decisions closely.
The recent judgment of the Supreme Court declaring PTI eligible for seats reserved for women and minorities was also noted by the U.S. The court’s decision emphasized that withdrawal of an election symbol does not disqualify a political party from participating in elections.