The United States has called for restraint and respect for fundamental freedoms as political tensions continue to rise in Pakistan.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller addressed the ongoing protests, stressing the importance of peaceful demonstrations and the protection of human rights. “We support freedom of expression around the world, including in Pakistan,” Miller said. “We urge protesters to demonstrate peacefully and avoid violence.”
The US also called on the Pakistani government to uphold human rights amid the unrest. “We expect the Pakistani government to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms,” Miller added. He further emphasized that steps should be taken to maintain law and order in accordance with Pakistani law.
These remarks came as tensions intensified on Sunday, when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protesters clashed with security forces at Chungi No 26 in Islamabad, resulting in one Rangers officer being injured.
Violence had already escalated across several regions, with reports of miscreants attacking law enforcement officers under the guise of protests. Police Constable Mubashir, 46, succumbed to a head injury after a violent altercation at Hakla Interchange. He had been receiving medical treatment at the time of his death.
Over 100 police officers have been injured in various locations due to the violent actions of protesters.
The situation worsened in Attock, where three police officers were critically injured in a shooting incident near Katti Pahari. Constable Wajid, from Faisalabad, was shot in the neck and remains in critical condition. Constable Samiullah, from Sargodha, sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, while another officer, also named Samiullah, was injured in Attock by stone-pelting and is being treated in Hasanabdal.
All three officers were assigned to special duty in the region at the time of the incidents.
