US ‘always concerned’ over opp leaders’ arrest

Washington calls on Islamabad to uphold democratic principles

The United States is "always concerned" at the arrest of opposition leaders and urges the peaceful upholding of constitutional and democratic principles, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Tuesday.

The statement came in response to the arrest of PTI leader Raoof Hasan and the raid on the party's office.

Raoof Hasan, a spokesperson for the PTI, was apprehended by Islamabad police on Monday during a raid on the PTI's digital media wing.

The raid, conducted by the Islamabad police and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), was part of an operation where the interior ministry accused the party of spreading "anti-state propaganda".

During a State Department press briefing last night, Miller was questioned about the Pakistani government's decision to conduct the raid, arrest Hasan, and consider banning the PTI.

Miller acknowledged the reports of PTI leaders' arrests, noting that the US is "always concerned when we see arrests of opposition leaders". He added, "I'm always personally concerned when I see the arrest of a spokesperson," a comment that drew laughter from the attendees, given Miller's own role as a spokesperson.

He emphasised that the State Department "supports the upholding of constitutional and democratic principles, including the rule of law, equal justice under the law, and respect for human rights like freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly".