Zalmay Khalilzad is a private citizen whose opinions don’t represent Washington’s foreign policy: US State Department Spokesperson
WASHINGTON DC ( Web News )
Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the United States Department of State Vedant Patel on Tuesday stated that former US diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad was a private citizen whose opinions did not represent Washington’s foreign policy.
During a press briefing, a Pakistani journalist asked Patel to clarify Khalilzad’s statements after the ex-ambassador was observed “advising the Pakistani government” and the Supreme Court regarding the political situation in the country.
The reporter stated that there was a general sentiment in Pakistan that Khalilzad’s statements expressed the US government’s sentiments.
The spokesperson quickly clarified that any social media activity or comments or tweets by the former diplomat were done in his private capacity as he did not speak for the administration.
The reporter then asked about Patel’s opinion about the current political chaos in Pakistan as Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah issued death threats to former prime minister Imran Khan on public TV.
“We have previously stated that any implication of violence, harassment, or intimidation has no place in politics,” Patel said. He encouraged all sides in Pakistan to respect the rule of law and allow the people of Pakistan to democratically determine their own country’s leadership pursuant to their own constitution and laws.
The spokesperson maintained that it was not for him to speak or react to comments made by the interior minister. Patel’s remarks come after Khalilzad continued to dwell on the current political situation in Pakistan, despite a Foreign Office rejoinder, as he came up with another statement last week urging the country’s civil and military leadership to change the disastrous course.