The US government rebutted former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s allegations of his ouster on Friday, saying that the US agreed with the Pakistan military spokesperson’s statement on the subject.
The word “conspiracy” was not used in the statement issued after a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) last month, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Major General Babar Iftikhar.
The Army’s spokesperson said he couldn’t comment on what was discussed in the meeting, but that the term “conspiracy” was not mentioned.
Imran Khan, the then-prime minister of Pakistan, called the NSC meeting last month, alleging that the US government was backing the opposition’s no-trust motion to remove him from power.
Ex-prime minister Imran Khan, who was ousted by a no-trust motion last Saturday, brandished a ‘threat letter’ at a public gathering on March 27 claiming that his government had been threatened by the US government and that the opposition was involved in a conspiracy to change the regime.
In a regular press briefing today, state department spokesman Ned Price refuted Imran Khan’s allegations once more, saying that the US government agreed with the military spokesman’s statement.
“Our message has been clear and consistent on this, that the allegations that have been made are completely false,” said Ned Price. “We support the peaceful enforcement of constitutional and democratic principles, including human rights,” he stated.
“We do not support one political party over another, whether it is in Pakistan or anywhere else in the world,” he added.
He went on to say, “We support broader principles such as the rule of law and equal justice under the law.”
“We would agree with it,” a US State Department spokesperson said in response to DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar’s press briefing on the denial of conspiracy.
Ned Price also congratulated Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on his election and pledged to work with the new government.
Shehbaz Sharif was sworn in as Pakistan’s 23rd prime minister on Monday. After PTI Chairman Imran Khan was deposed in a no-confidence vote, he was elected Premier.
“We congratulated Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on his election, and we look forward to working with him and his government,” he said.
“For almost 75 years, the relationship between the United States and Pakistan has been a vital one,” Ned Price said, “and we look forward to continuing that work with Pakistan’s government to promote peace and prosperity in Pakistan and the broader region.”
US Secretary of State congratulates PM Shehbaz
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on his election as Pakistan’s new Prime Minister the day before.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and promised to continue working with the new Pakistan government in the early hours of Thursday.
“We value our relationship with Pakistan, which has been an important partner in a wide range of mutual interests for nearly 75 years. The US congratulates newly-elected Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the US State Department stated, “We look forward to continuing our long-standing cooperation with Pakistan’s government.”
