The statement of the US State Department about Imran Khan’s arrest came hours after the United Nations (UN) working group declared the detention of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder illegal.

While addressing newsmen, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State Vedant Patel said that he would let the UN offer any clarity on their comments.

“I’ll let the United Nations offer any clarity on the comments that they’ve provided. And in the case of Mr. Imran Khan, you’ve heard us say this before: This is an internal matter for Pakistan. I don’t have any assessment to offer from up here,” he said.

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When asked about the US House of Representatives resolution asking for a thorough and independent investigation into interference claims in Pakistan’s 2024 elections, Vedant Patel said: “In the United States of America and our democratic system, Congress is a separate but coequal branch of government.”

He also said the US has urged Pakistan to respect human rights in line with the Constitution and international commitments: “Let me just say broadly that when it comes to Pakistan, our most senior officials, whether that be Secretary Blinken, Assistant Secretary Lu, Ambassador Blome, we have consistently and privately and publicly urged Pakistan to respect the rights of its people in line with its Constitution and international commitments.”

He added, “We urge the Government of Pakistan to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of expression, freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and the freedom of religion as well.”