US calls for restraint in political crisis

'We continue to urge all sides to refrain from violence, exercise restraint, and respect rule of law,' says Jen Psaki


Reuters September 02, 2014

WASHINGTON:


The United States on Monday called for restraint by all sides in Pakistan’s political crisis, saying protesters had a right to demonstrate peacefully but that it strongly opposed efforts to impose change through violence and destruction of property.


“We have been carefully monitoring the demonstrations in Islamabad. We continue to urge all sides to refrain from violence, exercise restraint, and respect the rule of law,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said, calling for peaceful dialogue.

Protesters, led by opposition leaders Imran Khan, and Tahirul Qadri, have been on the streets for weeks trying to bring down the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

This is the first statement from Washington since demonstrators clashed with police over the weekend that resulted in three deaths. “Peaceful protest and freedom of expression are important aspects of democracy,” Psaki said.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2nd, 2014.

COMMENTS (2)

Dr.A.K.Tewari | 9 years ago | Reply

Drones are already over the Islamabad and sending video coverage of the events . It is also identifying the faces of participants for fixing the target . It's reports are being analysed at it's control office located at NEWADA desert .

Ashraf | 9 years ago | Reply

All the US has to do is make their drones do a couple of low passes over the thinning crowd and they'll disperse faster than smoke in a hurricane !!

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