US still believes protesters, govt should resolve Islamabad impasse via dialogue

The spokesperson said they are keeping an eye on the situation in Islamabad and are in contact with relevant officials

WASHINGTON: As the US shuttered its Embassy in Islamabad and cautioned its citizens from venturing into the Red Zone that is full of revolutionaries and Azadi marchers, the State Department said on Tuesday that the US believes all stakeholders in Pakistan should resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue.

As the daily press briefings resumed on Tuesday, the state department spokesperson Jen Psaki said that the US was watching the situation in Islamabad closely. However, it cannot predict an outcome of the impasse.

"We’ve obviously been closely watching the situation in Pakistan and we’ve been in touch with appropriate counterparts there", she said.

The spokesperson reiterated that the US is in no way involved in the process or in any discussion between the parties.

"I will just reiterate that we are in no way involved in the process or discussions between the parties."

Psaki, while reminding that they typically do not offer predictions and that they "can offer no real analysis of what's happening in Islamabad beyond just reiterating their belief that the parties should work together to resolve difference differences through peaceful dialogue and ways to strengthen Pakistan's democracy and rule of law."

US embassy closed for an indefinite period

Amid the political disturbance in the capital, the US has closed its embassy in Islamabad for an indefinite period.

When asked, Psaki said that the steps were taken to ensure security and safety for the embassy personnel.

"I don't have any prediction for you...Obviously, there are steps we take as the United States government in order to ensure the safety and security of our personnel."

However, Psaki said the state department is making every effort to reopen embassy as soon as possible but did not give a timetable on which it was expected to reopen.

"We make every effort to reopen or make services available as soon as we possibly can".

US speaking to different countries to curb ISIL threat

The spokesperson while talking about the alleged distribution of pamphlets by ISIL in Pakistan, said that US state secretary is in contact with a range of counterparts to take action against the ISIS threat in their region.

"Secretary is speaking to a range of counterparts, not just in countries that are directly next to Iraq or Syria, but countries that are around the world that may be concerned about the threat that ISIL is posing."

Islamic State in Levant, (ISIL) or its supporters reportedly distributed pamphlets in border areas of Pakistan to influence and recruit locals for its effort. Some of these pamphlets were also found in Peshawar.

A booklet titled Fatah (victory) is published in Pashto and Dari languages and was distributed in Peshawar as well as in Afghan refugee camps on the outskirts of the city.