The United States has expressed a desire for the Government of Pakistan to handle peaceful protests with respect. In a press briefing, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized that the US expects all protests to be peaceful and that any government, including Pakistan’s, should engage with peaceful demonstrators in a respectful and non-violent manner.
Miller’s comments came in response to a question about the recent PTI protest in Islamabad, which turned violent after clashes between protesters and police. The PTI, led by supporters of its chairman Imran Khan, had gathered in Islamabad last week demanding his release. The protest escalated when a convoy, led by Imran’s wife Bushra Bibi, breached security lines and approached the city’s red zone.
Although the PTI later called off the protest, claiming hundreds of their supporters were shot and thousands arrested, the government denied these allegations. After the clashes, the US urged both the authorities and protesters to act with restraint. Miller reiterated the US call for peaceful demonstrations and respect for human rights and Pakistan’s constitution, as the authorities worked to maintain law and order.
