After Iran Khan’s arrest, former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who negotiated the Taliban peace deal, chimed in.
At a joint news conference in Washington, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated. “We just want to ensure that whatever happens in Pakistan is consistent with the rule of law and the constitution.”
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, speaking alongside Blinken, remarked that the United Kingdom enjoys “a longstanding and close relationship” with Pakistan, a Commonwealth member. “We desire a tranquil democracy in that nation. Cleverly stated, “We want to see the rule of law adhered to.”
Both declined further comment, with Cleverly stating that he had not been thoroughly briefed on the situation.
When queried about the situation in Pakistan, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated. “As we have stated previously, the United States does not support one political candidate or party over another.”
Equal treatment
Anwar Iqbal of Washington adds that the United Nations stated on Tuesday that it will monitor the political situation in Pakistan following the arrest of Imran Khan to ensure that all political figures are treated fairly.
When asked to comment on Imran Khan’s detention, the deputy spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Farhan Haq, stated, “Our concern is ensuring that all political figures in Pakistan are treated fairly and, of course, that due process is followed.”
Therefore, we will continue to monitor this process to ensure that our concerns are addressed.” Mr. Haq said during a press briefing at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday afternoon.
Amnesty International, a London-based human rights organization, disseminated a statement from its headquarters in Washington. Amnesty International warned of police-supporter conflicts after Imran Khan’s imprisonment.
“We urge authorities to exercise restraint and to ensure that any response adheres to the principles of proportionality, legality, necessity, and nondiscrimination,” the statement continued.
Michael Kugelman, an expert on South Asian affairs based in Washington, tweeted that the situation in Pakistan was deteriorating daily.
It appears that the Pakistani military has reached a point of ‘enough is enough’ regarding Khan. After several failed detention attempts by the police, the military took matters into its own hands this time,” he wrote. “What a mess!”
Jeremy McLellan, a social media personality who frequently comments on events in Pakistan, tweeted, “Imran Khan wasn’t arrested, he was kidnapped illegally… because he became too popular.”
“The Pakistani people will not take this lying down,” he cautioned.
According to the information minister, Madiha Afzal, a scholar of South Asian affairs affiliated with the Brookings Institution in Washington, noted that “while things unravel in Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif remained in London for one more day on [his brother] Nawaz’s orders.”
Zalmay Khalilzad, who brokered the Taliban peace deal, also reacted on Iran Khan’s incarceration.
“Imran Khan’s arrest is deplorable and will have far-reaching consequences. He wrote in a tweet, “I condemn it in the strongest terms possible.” “It is painful to observe a country so rich in potential, with an ancient cultural heritage, natural resources, an entrepreneurial spirit, and hardworking people, being repeatedly thrown into chaos by its dysfunctional elites — civilian and military, with a few exceptions.”
He also called on Pakistan’s allies, including China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, to assist alleviate the situation. “Countries with strong ties to Pakistan must help its leaders reach an agreement that averts the imminent meltdown,” he wrote.
