US to continue working with PM Nawaz: State Deptt

During the daily briefing in Washington on Thursday, the State Department’s deputy spokesperson Marie Harf said that the US was not involved in the process or discussions between the parties.

Harf though said the US believes there needs to be peaceful dialogue and that no attempts should be made to “change Pakistan’s government through extra-constitutional attempts.”

“We’re monitoring the demonstrations. Obviously, we think there should be a space in Pakistan for peaceful expression of views. So it’s something we’re looking at.”, said Harf.

She added that as far as the US was concerned, Nawaz Sharif was still the prime minister of Pakistan and that the US will keep working with him along with a “number of people in Pakistan as well.”

Asked about contacts between Islamabad and Washington over the current situation, Harf said that Ambassador Olson frequently meets with a range of officials. “I believe that’s where the contact has occurred.”

It must be remembered that a similar statement yesterday was heavily criticized by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan who is rallying along with his party workers in Islamabad with his foremost demand being the resignation of current Pakistani Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif.