Warrants against Imran does not concern US: Price

Says United States wanted peaceful upholding of democratic, constitutional, and legal principles in Pakistan.

The US on Thursday termed the issuance of arrest warrants by a court against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan an internal matter of the Pakistan and a question to be asked to the people of Pakistan.

At his regular press briefing, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price emphasised that the United States wanted peaceful upholding of democratic, constitutional, and legal principles in Pakistan.

Earlier this week, the district and sessions court in Islamabad issued non-bailable arrest warrants for PTI chairman and former prime minister Imran over his continuous absence before the judge in the Toshakhana (gift repository) case.

At the State Department briefing, Price was asked what was his position on the arrest warrants against Imran against backdrop of his party workers claims that the move was political victimisation.

“These are questions for the Pakistani people. These are not questions for the United States,” he said. “As I’ve said before, we support the peaceful upholding of democratic, constitutional, and legal principles around the world, including in Pakistan,” he added.

Price’s comment were also sought on the issue of Afghan refugees in the country. “This is a matter we’re discussing with our Pakistani counterparts. We’re in regular discussion with our Pakistani counterparts about this,” the spokesperson added.

“We encourage all states to uphold their respective obligations with regard to Afghan refugees or asylum seekers, and to refrain from returning them to anywhere where they could face persecution or torture,” he stated.