WASHINGTON: The top ambassadors of the United States and Britain urged Pakistan on Tuesday to follow the “rule of law” after the detention of former Prime Minister Imran Khan sparked national rioting.
“We just want to make sure that whatever happens in Pakistan is consistent with the rule of law, with the constitution,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a joint news conference in Washington.
Speaking with Blinken, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly stated that Britain has a “longstanding and close relationship” with Commonwealth member Pakistan.
“We want that country to have peaceful democracy.” “We want to see the rule of law followed,” Cleverly stated.
Both declined to elaborate, with Cleverly claiming he had not been properly told on the matter.
Khan, who was deposed as civilian prime minister of the world’s fifth most populous country last year, was arrested during a court appearance Tuesday in Islamabad on one of the numerous charges leveled against him.
Supporters of Khan, who is seeking a political comeback, took vengeance on the military, which has traditionally dominated Pakistani politics.
Khan has previously claimed that the US was involved in his removal, something Washington fiercely denies.
“As we have said before, the United States does not have a position on one political candidate or party versus another,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in response to a question regarding the situation in Pakistan.
