The United States has called on Pakistan to grant consular access to Khadija Shah, a prominent fashion designer and granddaughter of former army chief Asif Nawaz Janjua who was detained after the violence on May 9 in the aftermath of Imran Khan’s arrest.
Khadija, who has Pakistani as well as American citizenships, was arrested on May 23 in a case of attacking the Corp Commander, and sent to judicial lockup for identification parade.
US State Department Spokesperson Vedant Patel, during a press briefing on Tuesday, said Washington has been following her case.
“Have asked Pakistani officials for consular access to her … I’ve previously said, we always urge foreign governments to allow and follow consular notifications for procedures when American citizens are detained.
“I believe Ms. Shah is a dual national, and so we continue to engage directly with the Government of Pakistan on this,” Patel said.
He further said that “whenever a US citizen is arrested overseas, Washington stands ready to provide all appropriate assistance”.
“And we expect Pakistani authorities to respect all free – all fair trial guarantees owed to these detainees.”
Meanwhile, Patel categorically declared former prime minister Imran Khan’s claims of a “US conspiracy” in toppling his government as “false”.
“These allegations are categorically false; you have heard me say this before.
“Pakistani politics are a matter for the Pakistani people to decide and for them to pursue within the auspices of their own constitution and laws,’’ the spokesperson said.
