Washington defends press freedom in Pakistan after media ban on Imran Khan

June 16 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Government of the United States has defended this Thursday the freedom of the press in Pakistan, due to the prohibition of the Pakistani authorities to broadcast the speeches and statements of former Prime Minister Imran Jan.

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller has defended the role of a free and independent press, urging “all governments to respect the role of journalists and the media.”

“The press plays an essential role in democratic societies. We hope that all journalists covering events in Pakistan are guaranteed to do their job,” Miller told a news conference.

“A free and independent press is a vital and basic institution that sustains healthy democracies, ensuring that voters can make informed decisions and holding government officials accountable,” he added.

Miller, in addition, has reiterated that “it is absolutely false” that Jan’s “fall” occurred due to his cabinet’s defiance of US policies, in reference to the continuous accusations launched by the former prime minister.

“Pakistani politics is a matter for the Pakistani people to decide in accordance with their own Constitution and their laws. It is not a matter for the United States Government,” he concluded.

In early March, the Pakistani government banned the country’s television channels from broadcasting speeches and statements by Imran Khan, citing his “provocative comments against state institutions and officials,” which authorities deemed “harmful.” for the maintenance of law and order”.