WASHINGTON: The US State Department on Monday supported the right to protest, but added that the right should be exercised peacefully, opposing violent actions, looting and arson.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller made the comments at a press conference in Washington.
In response to a question about the May 9 riots, the official said his country supports freedom of expression in a legitimate way and opposes violent actions.
“We support legitimate, free speech, including the right to protest, the right to peaceful assembly, and we are against violent actions, we are against vandalism, looting, arson.”
He said that all protests should be peaceful and “governments should consistently address the rule of law and freedom of speech”.
The May 9 riots were triggered almost across the country after Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested last year in a £190 million settlement case.
Hundreds of PTI workers and senior leaders have been jailed for their involvement in violence and attacks on military installations.
During the protests, miscreants targeted civilian and military facilities, including Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
Meanwhile, the State Department acknowledged Pakistan’s unparalleled sacrifices and contributions in the war on terror, saying the country had “suffered greatly at the hands of terrorists”.
The spokesman was asked to comment on a statement by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, who said Pakistan would continue attacks against terrorist groups in Afghanistan as part of a new military campaign, and whether the US supported such attacks.
Miller said they have a common interest in threats to regional security.
