US State Department spokesperson Ned Price says that the Pakistani court’s arrest warrant for Imran Khan is the problem of the Pakistani people and not the US. Like all over the world, Pakistan will continue to support democratic constitutional legal principles.
While holding a weekly press conference at the US State Department on Thursday, March 2, Spokesman Ned Price said that he is in discussions with the relevant authorities on the ongoing crackdown on Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
Ned Price said that all countries should take responsibility for Afghan refugees and asylum seekers and not send them back to places where there is a risk of persecution. He said that the US is also having regular discussions with the Pakistani authorities on this matter. During the press briefing, he refused to answer the question regarding Imran Khan’s arrest warrant and said that this question is for the people of Pakistan, not for America.
Responding to the Russia-Ukraine war, the spokesperson said that the US Secretary of State has delivered a simple message to Russia, this is the same vision that President Zelensky has presented for a just and lasting peace. We will not, we stand with Ukraine, working with countries around the world to end the war, for a lasting solution.
In response to a question about India’s internet shutdown in Occupied Kashmir Valley for more than 85 days, the US spokesperson said that we will continue to highlight the importance of freedom of expression, including access to the internet, as a human right. It plays a role in strengthening democracy and countries.
Ned Price said the United States has been vocal with its partners and other allies in support of freedom of expression and access to the Internet. It should be noted that in a report published on Tuesday by the New York-based digital rights organization ‘Access Now’, it has been stated that India has topped the list of countries with internet service shutdowns for the fifth consecutive year. Most internet service stopped.
According to the report, out of 187 internet shutdowns recorded globally, 84 were recorded in India, of which 49 shutdowns were recorded in the Kashmir Valley. The US watchdog added in its report that internet access was interrupted 49 times due to political instability and violence in Indian-administered Kashmir.