US State Department spokesperson Marie Harf on Wednesday said the lifting of the moratorium on the death penalty in Pakistan is the country’s internal issue.
“Well, clearly this is an issue for Pakistan – a decision for Pakistan, excuse me. It’s not really ours to weigh in on,” Harf said during her daily press briefing.
Six prisoners have been hanged since Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced last week that a six-year moratorium on the death penalty was being lifted in terror cases following the Peshawar school massacre.
On December 16, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan stormed Army Public School in Peshawar killing 150 people, including 134 children.
The spokesperson added US President Barack Obama and US Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to PM Nawaz after the attack and extended assistance.
Responding to a question of human rights bodies condemnations of resumption in executions, Harf said, “We just don’t have a position on that to outline for you.”
Earlier today, EU mission condemned the resumption. EU officials indicated last year that if Pakistan resumed executions, it could jeopardise a highly prized trade deal with the bloc.
Further, she said terrorism is a shared threat and Pakistan and the US have worked closely together to counter it.
“More Pakistanis are victims of counter terrorism, I think, than anywhere in the world. So clearly it’s a shared threat, but when we have concerns like this we’ll raise them,” she said.
Referring to an order which granted bail to the alleged mastermind of the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai, Zakiur Rehman Alvi, the spokesperson said, “Well, look, we’re concerned by the reports that this individual terrorist got bail.”
“The government of Pakistan has pledged its cooperation in bringing the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to justice, and we urge them to uphold that promise,” she added.
Further, dismissing a question regarding reports stating US will not target Mullah Omar next year, Harf said, “I don’t think that’s something for the State Department to speak to.”
COMMENTS (20)
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Long awaited answer. Too bad the U.S. decides to butt in in many other foreign affair. On a completely irrelevant note, Marie Harf is a blithering idiot with a gigantic chip on her shoulder and no tact or finesse. Time to replace her.
This is the first time ever when US withdrew its stance of interference because the main reason behind it is Pakistan is giving death sentences to the terrorists who have been declared also the terrorists by US itself......
Dipak@Hamid Niazi: Your foreign policy is dictated by your Army. No one else.
Correct response from the U.S. because death penalty is carried her in several states!
The USA has made its position clear, this is Pakistans decision!...it is obvious from some comments that there are still Taliban supporters within the country who want to blame all the problems caused by local terrorists on the west...this is there way of confusing the people into thinking that Taliban radical Islamic supporters are good and democracy, freedom and western supporters are bad...the enemy within Pakistan is the biggest enemy..and the USA is the biggest supporter of the Pakistan government...
Each day the White House, State Dept, and Pentagon each hold a press conference which is attended by reporters throughout the World. A large portion of these conferences are nothing other than spokespersons responding to questions posed by reporters. There is nothing wrong with what this spokesman said and the policy of inviting questions from around the World is something that should be encouraged and perhaps emulated by Pakistan.
This is a prior measure for what yet has to come.
Hi Fellows: She did not offer to make a comment or issue a statement. In a meeting, spokesperson usually answers questions posed to her. That is all.
So do not get picky!
Implying that everything else is their business.
The US should never weigh in on our affairs.
What stupid journalist asked her this question anyway. The death penalty is not illegal in many states in the U.S. and far more executions are carried out there than in Pakistan anyway. Lol.
Not surprising - in the USA each of the 50 individual States determines whether or not Death Penalty is legal - not the federal govt.
Coz it will not either benefit or harm them, this is why it's "None of their business".. US has Black water operatives everywhere in Pakistan to do their job..
@Hamid Niazi: You nailed it!
people are habitual of your statements and behind the scene power play,
she is kidding.
That, plus the fact that the death penalty is still legal in many states in the US. So obviously they can't speak against it
Abottabad OBL Raid, Drones, Salala Attack, Raymond Davis, BlackWater Operatives ....... and they suddenly claim "..it's none of our business.." after cauing mayhem all over the country!
We like EU to also come up and say this is none of their business.
Interesting comments from a country that dictates our Foreign, Domestic and all other policies and controls our corrupt rulers like a puppet master.
Talk about Nuclear weaponry and it is suddenly their business!!!!