US urges govt, PTI to exercise restraint

The United States has appealed for restraint from Pakistani authorities and thousands of protesters marching on the federal capital to call for the release of jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan.

Addressing his daily news briefing in Washington on Monday, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said "We call on protesters to demonstrate peacefully and refrain from violence and, at the same time, we call on Pakistani authorities to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to ensure respect for Pakistan's laws and constitution as they work to maintain law and order."

Responding to a question, Miller said, "So, in Pakistan and around the world, we support freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. We call on protesters to demonstrate peacefully and refrain from violence, and at the same time, we call on Pakistani authorities to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to ensure respect for Pakistan's laws and constitution, as they work to maintain law and order."

When asked about the future of Pakistan and whether it is starting to look like Bangladesh, Miller said, "We support the right of people inside Pakistan to protest peacefully, and we call on the Pakistani authorities to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms."