US 'concerned' over PTI leaders' arrests

• Always concerned on arrests of opposition leaders: State Dept.
• Washington calls on Islamabad to uphold democratic principles.
• Matthew Miller underscores need to respect human rights.
  

WASHINGTON: The US State Department has expressed concerns over the arrests of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, urging the South Asian nation 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.

Washington's reaction comes against the backdrop of PTI Information Secretary Raoof Hasan's arrest for allegedly heading a digital media cell involved in running propaganda against Pakistan and its integrity.

Hasan, a prominent PTI official, was taken into custody by Islamabad Police on Monday from the party's Central Secretariat in the federal capital and handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on a two-day physical remand by a district and sessions court on Tuesday.

A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered 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).

Meanwhile, authorities have also sealed the party's Central Secretariat building citing violations of relevant fire safety regulations, The News reported on Wednesday.

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

The party's leadership, including Khan and other senior leaders with the likes of Shah Mahmood Qureshi and others, are already behind bars owing to their alleged involvement in various cases.

Reacting to Hasan's arrest, Miller said: "I'm always personally concerned when I see the arrest of a spokesperson."

He further reiterated Washington's 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.

"We urge that these principles be respected in accordance with Pakistan’s constitution and laws," he added.

Last week, US President Joe Biden's administration had expressed concerns over the incumbent government's announcement of its decision to ban the former ruling party and lodge treason cases against its founder and other leaders.

Earlier this month, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar revealed that announced that the federal government was planning to impose a ban on its political rival PTI over its alleged involvement in anti-state activities.

In response, Miller referred to the media reports and the Pakistani government's announcement, saying the development "is a beginning of the complex process".

"[…] certainly banning of the political party would be of great concern to us," he remarked.