Pakistan people to decide future leadership: US

WASHINGTON: The State Department on Thursday reiterated that Pakistan’s future leadership was for the Pakistani people to decide.

During a press briefing, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel underscored that the US interest continues to be in the democratic process.

“We also have not been ambiguous about how we feel very strongly that a free and independent media are vital institutions that undergird healthy democracies by ensuring that elector can make informed decision and hold the government to account,” he said. “We believe journalists play a critical role in covering fair and transparent elections,” he said, adding that the State Department continues to be concerned by any report, that may be out there, of restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of association and the press.

“Those kinds of things we believe are at odds with Pakistani authorities’ self-stated goal of a fully fair and transparent election,” he said.