WASHINGTON: The US government concurred with the Pakistan military spokesperson’s comments on the disputed “threat letter” on Friday, rebutting former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s claims of a conspiracy to depose him.
The word “conspiracy” was not used in the statement published following a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) last month, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Major General Babar Iftikhar, who addressed the situation a day earlier.
The military’s spokesman said he couldn’t comment on what was said at the meeting, but that the word “conspiracy” was not spoken.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan summoned the NSC meeting last month, alleging that the US government was aiding the Opposition’s no-confidence resolution to oust him from power.
It’s worth noting that ex-prime minister Imran Khan, who was ousted by a no-confidence vote last Sunday, presented a “threat letter” at a public meeting on March 27 stating that his administration had been threatened by the US and that the Opposition was complicit in the plot.
In a routine press conference today, state department spokesman Ned Price denied Imran Khan’s charges once more, saying that the US government agreed with the Pakistani military spokesman’s remarks.
“Our message has been clear and consistent on this: the claims that have been made are completely false,” said Ned Price. “We favour the peaceful enforcement of constitutional and democratic norms, particularly human rights,” he stated.
“We do not endorse one political party over another, whether it is in Pakistan or anyplace else in the globe,” he added.
He went on to say, “We embrace bigger ideals such as the rule of law and equal justice under the law.”
“We would agree with it,” a US State Department official stated in response to DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar’s news briefing on the denial of conspiracy.
Ned Price also congratulated Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on his election and pledged to work with the incoming government.
Shahbaz Sharif was sworn in as Pakistan’s 23rd prime minister earlier this week. After Imran Khan was deposed in a no-confidence vote, he was elected as Prime Minister.
Read more: The Pentagon is hoping that military-to-military contacts with Pakistan will continue.
“We congratulated Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on his election, and we look forward to working with him and his cabinet,” he added.
“For over 75 years, the partnership between the United States and Pakistan has been a critical one,” Ned Price said, “and we look forward to continuing that cooperation with Pakistan’s government to promote peace and development in Pakistan and the greater region.”
PM Shahbaz is congratulated by US Secretary of State John Kerry.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had congratulated Shahbaz Sharif on his election as Pakistan’s new Prime Minister the day before.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken thanked Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and promised to continue working with the new Pakistan administration in the early hours of Thursday.
“We respect our relationship with Pakistan, which has been an essential partner on a wide range of common interests for over 75 years. The US congratulates newly elected Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and the US State Department stated, “We look forward to maintaining our long-standing partnership with Pakistan’s government.”
