Pakistan rejects US Congress letter portraying post May 9 actions as HR violations
Pakistan
Ms Baloch affirmed that the rights and properties of all citizens were being protected
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Pakistan responded on Thursday to a letter sent by over 60 members of the US Congress to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, stating that "distorted facts" had been shared. The government maintained that all actions taken in connection with the events on May 9 were in accordance with the country's constitution.
The letter, coauthored by Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, and signed by 65 other lawmakers, called on Blinken to pressure the Pakistan government to address the human rights situation in the country.
The lawmakers expressed deep concern over what they referred to as "democratic backsliding and human rights abuses" in Pakistan following the tragic events of May 9. During those events, protesters attacked military and government installations in response to the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.
The violent protests resulted in the loss of at least 10 lives and numerous injuries. The authorities not only arrested party leaders but also thousands of party workers.
In response, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zehra Baloch stated, "The letter sent by the US congressmen to Antony Blinken contained distorted facts." Ms Baloch affirmed that the rights and properties of all citizens were being protected, and all actions related to the events of May 9 were carried out in accordance with the country's Constitution and laws.
