US expresses concerns over Manipur situation, PEMRA Amendment Bill

WASHINGTON: United States has expressed concerns regarding the situation in India’s northeastern state of Manipur and called on Indian authorities to address humanitarian needs and protect the lives and property of all groups affected by the ongoing violence.

The Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State, Vedant Patel, addressed the issue during a press briefing in response to a question raised by ARY News correspondent Jahanzaib Ali about the ethnic violence in India.

Patel expressed shock and horror at the extreme attack on two women in Manipur, conveying the U.S. government’s profound sympathies to the survivors of the gender-based violence. He further expressed support for the Indian government’s efforts to seek justice for the victims and emphasized the importance of a peaceful and inclusive resolution to the violence.

Meanwhile, Mr. Patel also commented on the controversial Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Bill tabled in the Pakistani Parliament. The bill has faced criticism from journalists’ organizations and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Patel reiterated the U.S. government’s stance on press freedom and the significance of an informed citizenry for a democratic future. He stated that the U.S. routinely raises concerns about press freedom to stakeholders globally, including Pakistani officials.

The PEMRA Bill 2023, introduced in the National Assembly session on Friday, aims to enhance the credibility of news content and combat disinformation and misinformation in Pakistan’s media landscape.

The U.S. State Department’s spokesperson refrained from commenting on the recent meeting between the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir and the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) Chief General Michael Erik Kurilla. Patel directed ARY’s Ali to obtain details of the meeting from the U.S. Centcom.

On a different note, the spokesperson also shed light on a call between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The call aimed to reaffirm a productive U.S.-Pakistan partnership and touched upon various issues, including continued engagement through technical and development initiatives and robust trade and investment ties. Secretary Blinken also welcomed the IMF’s approval of a program to support Pakistan and encouraged further reforms to promote economic recovery and prosperity in the country.

READ: NA body unanimously approves PEMRA Amendment Bill 2023

Regarding human rights issues in Pakistan, Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel emphasized that the United States consistently raises human rights concerns with officials from countries worldwide. He reiterated that advocating for human rights is a core principle for the U.S. government, and the topic remains on the table in all diplomatic engagements.

The United States’ concerns over the situation in Manipur and the controversial PEMRA Bill in Pakistan reflect its commitment to addressing humanitarian crises and promoting democratic values and human rights globally.