The State Department of the USA expressed concern over the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf leader Imran Khan. The department has urged Pakistan to respect human rights and uphold democratic principles.
“We have seen the reports of the arrests of PTI leaders. We are always concerned when we see arrests of opposition leaders,” said US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller while speaking at a press briefing in Washington on Tuesday.
Miller reiterated the US commitment to supporting democratic values and justice. “We support the peaceful 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,” he affirmed.
“We urge that these principles be respected in accordance with Pakistan’s Constitution and laws,” Miller added. The statements came following the arrest of PTI Information Secretary Raoof Hassan on Monday. Hassan was arrested during the raid at the secretariat in Islamabad on Monday. FIA has accused him of disseminating anti-state propaganda.
District and Session Court in Islamabad granted a two-day physical remand of PTI leader Raoof Hassan to FIA.
The Federal Investigative Agency accuses PTI’s Information Secretary Raoof Hassan of disseminating anti-state propaganda. Arrested by the PTI Secretariat on Monday in Islamabad, and the Police presented him before the court. FIA requested the court for the physical remand of Raoof Hassan.
Read more: Two-day remand of Raoof Hassan granted to FIA
“The PTI digital media center had become a center of international disinformation, from where anti-Pakistan propaganda is run throughout the world,” said police.
The operation, led by SSP Hassan Jahangir Wattoo, involved a substantial police presence surrounding the PTI headquarters in the federal capital, with female police officers participating in the raid.
The charges against the detained officials have not yet been disclosed. The PTI has condemned the arrests, calling them politically motivated.