WASHINGTON, Dec 03 (NNI): The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Pakistan in its efforts against terrorism and extremism and also the authorities in Islamabad to handle protests peacefully.
Addressing his daily news briefing in Washington, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the United States stands with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism. “We have said many times, we continue to stand with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and violent extremism,” he added.
Replying to a question regarding PTI’s recent protests, the State Department spokesperson said that the US wants to see any protests be peaceful, and wants to see the Government of Pakistan, as is true with any government around the world, to engage with peaceful protests respectfully, and to deal with them peacefully.
In reply to a question about TAPI (Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India) gas pipeline, Matthew Miller said: “We have made quite clear our position on the Taliban, and the position on the Taliban’s abuses of its people, including, of course, women and girls inside Afghanistan.”
He remarked that protests around the world, including in Pakistan, should remain peaceful, calling on the Pakistani government to engage and deal with protesters peacefully.
Answering a question, Miller said the US officials regularly raised the issue of the alleged conspiracy to assassinate a Sikh leader in conversations with their Indian counterparts.
Replying to a question regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s remarks about threatening allied nations, the spokesperson refrained from commenting, saying: “I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to comment on the policies of an administration that has not yet taken office.”
“We have one president at the time and I’m glad to stand up here and take questions about President Biden’s foreign policy and presumably a new State Department spokesperson on January 21 who can take questions about President Trump’s foreign policy.” NNI
