WASHINGTON, April 28: The US wants continued development of democracy in Pakistan and Bangladesh and it is willing to help them achieve their democratic goals, said a State Department official.

“The United States is certainly committed to doing what it can to help them as they seek to advance their own democratic process,” said State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey.

Asked if the US was willing to facilitate the return of former prime ministers of Pakistan and Bangladesh to their countries, he said: “These are decisions that the people of Pakistan and the people of Bangladesh are discussing themselves and are going to be working through.” The US, however, wanted to see “a continued development of democracy” in those places, he said.

“That includes free and fair elections. That includes certainly upholding people’s rights, whether that’s freedom of expression or other human rights. Certainly it includes upholding the constitution and the rule of law in those countries.”