The United States has distanced itself from the statements of former US envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad about the political situation in Pakistan.
While briefing the newsmen in Washington on Tuesday, Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the US Department of State Vedant Patel that the United States has nothing to do with Zalmay Khalilzad’s statements.
“Mr. Khalilzad is a private citizen, and any social media activity or comments or tweets that you might reference, those are done in his private capacity, does not represent US foreign policy, and he does not speak for this administration,” Vedant Patel said.
United States response to Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah’s threats to Imran Khan. Termed @realZalmayMK statements on Pakistan as personal. Talked about @RahulGandhi #Imrankhan_arrest @ImranKhanPTI #imrankhanPTI #zalmaykhalilzad #RahulGhandi #India #Pakistan @ForeignOfficePk… pic.twitter.com/GHlkV64Hm0
— Jahanzaib Ali (@JazzyARY) March 27, 2023
Read more: Afghan peace talks: Zalmay Khalilzad is hopeful of a positive outcome
Furthermore, commenting on the current political quagmire in Pakistan, Vedant Patel said any implication of violence, harassment, or intimidation has no place in politics, and we encourage all sides in Islamabad to respect the rule of law and allow the people to democratically determine their own leaders pursuant to their own constitution and laws.
Zalmay Khalilzad stirs controversy in Pakistan
Former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has recently stirred controversy in Pakistan by tweeting about the country’s politics. His statements even prompted a strong reaction from Islamabad, meanwhile sparking a narrative that the US may be interfering in Pakistan’s internal matters.
Zalmay khalilzad on elections in #Pakistan . Amazing how US is interfering in our internal matters? pic.twitter.com/ezO1zs1QwB
— Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi) March 14, 2023
Pakistan’s Foreign Office had earlier warned Zalmay Khalilzad not to comment on Pakistan’s domestic issues. However, the former US envoy doubled down on his commentary on the current political situation in Pakistan as he cautioned the Pakistan government about the potential consequences of ousting Imran Khan from national politics.
Despite being told by the Foreign Office not to comment on Pakistan’s domestic issues, Zalmay Khalilzad, in a series of tweets, hinted that there are indications that Pakistan’s parliament, which is controlled by the governing coalition, might well ask the Supreme Court to disqualify Imran Khan from running for election and even prohibit PTI in the next few days.
Not a good idea to dismiss Zalmay Khalilzad's observations on current situation in Pakistan. He's one of most seasoned US diplomats who dealt with Pakistan extensively under both Democrat and Republican Presidents. Pakistan already struggling with IMF. More than meets the eye? pic.twitter.com/WmK1dbdBkb
— Kamran Khan (@AajKamranKhan) March 22, 2023
He also said that the government appears to have decided to set up Imran Khan as enemy no 1 of the state, saying such steps will only deepen Pakistan’s triple crises: political, economic, and security.
Read more: PTI & PML-N react to Zalmay Khalilzad’s tweets on Imran Khan