As Pak Mulls Declaring Emergency, US Raises Concern Over Human Rights

WASHINGTON, DC (ANI) – While former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan was arrested on live video which showed the manhandling of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader and has now been released on the orders of the Supreme Court which declared his incarceration unlawful, the US State Department’s Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel on May 11 raised concern over human rights and press freedom issues in Pakistan.

“The United States wants to see the upholding of the democratic principles and law in Pakistan,” Patel said in a statement.”We support the peaceful upholding of constitutional and democratic principles, including respect for human rights,” said Patel regarding the US’s response to the blockage of internet services in Pakistan. The spokesperson said that the Internet is also an important medium of communication. He said that they do not support, whether it’s in Pakistan or anywhere else around the world, one political party over another. “We support broader principles, including the rule of law and equal justice under the law.”

While thousands of supporters of Khan have been arrested and an enraged public debating the government’s punitive actions, the federal cabinet has been mulling over the imposition of emergency in the country following the political unrest.

Cabinet members mulled overusing the option of imposing an emergency.

During the Pakistan Democratic Movement session, the coalition parties suggested its imposition. The cabinet members also held consultations over necessary steps to cope with the political and economic challenges.

On May 11, Defense Minister Khwaja Asif said that an emergency is a constitutional option but there is no chance of imposing martial law.

Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) have reportedly opposed the proposal to ban the PTI citing concerns over freedom of expression and the right to protest.