US urges restraint in political crisis

State Dept spokesperson says any efforts to impose extra-constitutional change to political system will be opposed

WASHINGTON: The United States on Monday called for restraint by all sides in the current 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 spokesperson 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.

Demonstrators clashed with police over the weekend, and three people were killed.

"Peaceful protest and freedom of expression are important aspects of democracy," Psaki said in a statement.

"Violence and destruction of private property and government buildings are not acceptable means of resolving political differences, however, and we strongly oppose any efforts to impose extra-constitutional change to the political system."

On August 21, the State Department threw its weight behind Premier Nawaz and stressed that he was the constitutionally elected chief executive of the country. Hours after the statement, PTI chief Imran Khan strongly criticised the US for backing Nawaz and accused Washington of meddling in Pakistan’s internal matters.

The strong remarks by PTI chief prompted the US Embassy in Islamabad to deny his claims that Washington was involved in the process of discussions between the political parties.