US, UK back ‘rule of law’ after Imran’s arrest

Diplomats urge measures for peaceful democratic rule in joint press conference

WASHINGTON:

The top diplomats of the United States and Britain together called on Tuesday for adherence to the “rule of law” in Pakistan after former prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest triggered nationwide protests.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told a joint news conference in Washington with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that they wanted to see peaceful democracy in Pakistan.

Cleverly noted that Britain enjoyed “a longstanding and close relationship” with Commonwealth member Pakistan. “We want to see peaceful democracy in that country. We want to see the rule of law adhered to,” Cleverly said. “I’m uncomfortable to speculate any further without having a detailed briefing on that,” he added.

“We just want to make sure that whatever happens in Pakistan is consistent with the rule of law, with the constitution,” Blinken said. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said: “As we have said before, the United States does not have a position on one political candidate or party versus another.”

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