US State Dept reiterates Imran Khan's matter for 'Pakistani courts to decide'

• US also refutes allegations of involvement in Khan's ouster.
• Allegations that US played any role are "false", says Miller.
• He adds Pakistani politics "matter for Pakistani people to decide".
  

WASHINGTON: The US State Department has reiterated its stance on the ongoing legal proceedings against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, stating that it is a matter for the Pakistani courts to decide.

"As we have said many times, legal proceedings against the former prime minister are matters for the Pakistani courts to decide," said State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Addressing a press briefing on Wednesday, the spokesperson also refuted the allegations of US involvement in Khan's ouster.

"The allegations that the US played any role in his removal from office are false.”

Miller further added that he has addressed the issue "any number of times from this podium", and that "ultimately Pakistani politics is a matter for the Pakistani people to decide in accordance with their laws and constitution".

The spokesperson's remarks came in response to a journalist's statement who mentioned about the involvement of US diplomat Donald Lu in the former prime minister's ouster.

Khan, who remains incarcerated at the Adiala jail since August last year, had alleged that the US was behind his ouster in 2022, citing a purported cipher linked with the US envoy.

Miller also responded about how the members of Congress, who wrote a letter to President Joe Biden for the release of the deposed prime minister, were belittled on social media.

"I can tell you, we don’t know who is behind circulating that information ultimately, but if people have issues that they wanna engage with regarding US officials, whether they be executive branch officials or officials from the United States Congress, they should engage on the merits of those issues and not by talking about people’s religion or sexual orientation," he said.

Earlier this week, the State Department also confirmed receiving the letter written by 60 Congresspersons to the Biden administration.

"We will respond in due course to the members," said Miller.

The letter signed and sent by 60 Congressmen on October 23 had urged the Biden administration to support human rights and democracy in Pakistan, while calling for the release of Imran and other political prisoners.

Among other things, the letter also highlighted about the crackdown on internet and social media platforms as well as alleged irregularities in elections.

Through their letter, the members of Congress asked Biden to use Washington's leverage with Islamabad for the release of the incarcerated founder of the former ruling party, a move that Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan termed "contrary to inter-state conduct and diplomatic norms".