The US State Department has supported the right to protest, adding this right should be exercised peacefully, opposing violent actions, looting and arson.
Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department stated this while addressing a news briefing in Washington.
To a question about the May 9 riots, Miller said that the US supports freedom of expression in a legitimate way and opposes violent actions.
He added” “We support legitimate, free expression, including the right to protest, the right to peaceful assembly, and we oppose violent actions, we oppose vandalism, looting, arson.”
He further said that all the protests should be held peacefully and “the governments should deal consistently with the rule of law and free speech”.
Last year, the May 9 riots were triggered across Pakistan after deposed prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest in the £190 million settlement.
Scores of PTI workers and leaders were put behind bars for their involvement in violence and attacks on military installations.
The miscreants, during the protests, targeted the civil and military installations including — Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
The Pakistan military termed May 9 as “Black Day” and took a decision to try the protesters under the Army Act.
Acknowledging Pakistan’s unmatched sacrifices, meanwhile, and contributions in the war against terrorism, the State Department spokesperson said that the country “suffered greatly at the hands of terrorists”.
About Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s statement who had said that Pakistan will continue launching attacks against terrorist groups in Afghanistan as part of a new military campaign and whether the US supports such strikes, he said that they have a shared interest in threats to regional security.
