US State Department condemns threats against its officials

WASHINGTON: The United States (US) Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller on Thursday stated that his country takes threats against its officials “seriously”.

This statement follows alleged threats sent by two members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) to US Assistant Secretary Donald Lu.

During a press briefing, Miller “condemned” any form of threat against US officials. “Of course, we take any threats towards US officials seriously and condemn any effort to threaten the safety and security of our diplomats,” he stated.

Read more: Biden, Trump clinch nominations, kicking off presidential rematch

Regarding an upcoming US Congressional Committee hearing on the “fairness” of Pakistan’s general election held on February 8 and its potential impact on US-Pakistan relations, Miller’s response primarily focused on Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu’s upcoming testimony.

Miller said that the US officials testify before Congress to aid the government in making informed foreign policy decisions. He explained the significance of such testimonies in assisting the US Congress in its policy-making decisions.

“With respect to the hearing, any number of State Department officials testify all the time before Congress. We see it as an important part of our job to help Congress do its job, both from a policy-making perspective and an oversight perspective. So, we always look forward to both the informal conversations we have and the formal conversations. And of course, the actual testimony that our officials provide,” Miller explained.

Regarding for Prime Minister Imran Khan’s allegations of Assistant Secretary Donald Lu ‘threatening’ to destabilise Khan’s movement in a meeting with the then Pakistani ambassador, Miller strongly denied any involvement of the US in government change or interference in Pakistan’s domestic affairs.

He strongly refuted the allegations, stating, “With respect to the underlying allegations against Assistant Secretary Lu, they are false. They have always been false, you have heard me say that more than once, twice, […] ten times.”

In response to a question regarding the highly controversial India Citizenship Amendment Act, Miller expressed that the United States has “concerns over” the Act and is “closely monitoring how this act will be implemented.”