The United States once again rejected the allegations leveled by PTI founder and his supporters against Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu of threatening his government.
“With respect to the underlying allegations against Assistant Secretary Lu, they’re false, they’ve always been false,” State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told ARY News correspondent. “You’ve heard me say that more than once, more than twice, more than ten times probably,” he added.
Since Imran Khan waved the so-called ‘cipher’ at a political rally two years ago and then blurted out the American diplomat’s name numerous times, accusing him of conspiring to topple the PTI government, the Assistant Secretary of State has received multiple threats.
When asked by ARY News correspondent if the department was concerned about any possible threats to the Assistant Secretary, who has been asked to testify at the hearing on Pakistani elections called by a House subcommittee next week, the State Department spokesperson stated, “Of course, we take any threats towards U.S. officials seriously and condemn any effort to threaten the safety and security of our diplomats.”
Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, has been called to appear as a witness before the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s subcommittee on Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia on Wednesday. The subcommittee will hold the hearing on the future of democracy and U.S.-Pakistan relations post-Pakistan elections.
Responding to a question about the upcoming hearing, the spokesperson clarified that any number of State Department officials testify all the time before Congress.
“We see it as an important part of our jobs to help Congress do its job, both from a policymaking perspective and from an oversight perspective, so we always look forward both to the informal conversations we have with Congress, the formal conversations, and of course the actual testimony that our officials provide.”
To another question, the spokesperson expressed concerns about the notification of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to implement the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act.
“We are closely monitoring this act, how this act will be implemented. Respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities are fundamental democratic principles,” the spokesperson said.
