State Dept says US concerned over PTI leaders arrests

The US State Department has voiced concerns over the arrests of the leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and urged Pakistan to respect human rights and uphold democratic principles.

Matthew Miller while speaking at a press briefing in Washington said: “We have seen the reports of the arrests of PTI leaders. We are always concerned when we see arrests of opposition leaders.”

A case has been filed against 12 PTI officials and workers including Hasan under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act’s sections 9 (glorification of an offence), 10 (cyber-terrorism), and 11 (hate speech).

The government has also sealed the PTI’s Central Secretariat building citing violations of relevant fire safety regulations.

The PTI has faced several arrests and a nationwide crackdown since the May 9 riots that were triggered after the arrest of Imran Khan in a graft case and saw several military and state installations being vandalised.

In response to Raoof Hasan’s arrest, Miller said: “I’m always personally concerned when I see the arrest of a spokesperson.”

He reiterated that the US 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.