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WASHINGTON: The United States has said that no extra-constitutional transfer of power in Pakistan was acceptable and warned that those “attempting to impose these changes” should not do so.
“Nawaz Sharif was elected and is prime minister. There is a government that was elected and is in place,” State Department deputy spokesperson Marie Harf said at a briefing in Washington.
“We support the constitutional and electoral process in Pakistan...That was a process they followed, an election they had, and we are focused on working with Pakistan,” said Harf.
“And we do not support any extra-constitutional changes to that democratic system or the people attempting to impose them.”
Protests by workers of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek with their demands for the prime minister's resignation have created a political crisis in the country.
The crisis has also drawn a reaction from the country's military, which has urged the parties to engage in dialogue for a settlement of the issue.
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Comments (110) Closed
Aug 21, 2014 11:22am
Who is US to either accept or deny any change happening inside Pakistan, Mr Obama should just concentrate on his country mess
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Aug 21, 2014 11:23am
Yes, we were waiting to hear from you MASTER. Do tell, how important democracy is for you and Mr. Nawaz Sharif.
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Aug 21, 2014 11:25am
Of course US will say that because their Puppets are ruling the Country!!
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Aug 21, 2014 11:25am
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Aug 21, 2014 11:27am
USA mind your own business, don't indulge in our matters
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Aug 21, 2014 11:27am
STOP MEDDLING IN PAKISTANS AFFAIRS!
If the US wants Nawaz in power, then remember the US is solely responsible for the destruction you are witnessing in the middle east and the muslim world.
They dont care about the muslim people , they only care about their pawns who they use to destroy muslim countries and create failed states.
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Aug 21, 2014 11:30am
it is Pakistan's internal problem...US must keep away from it.. stop putting your nose in other's matter.
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Aug 21, 2014 11:33am
US government better mind its own business. No need to interfere in Pakistan internal political situation.
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Aug 21, 2014 11:36am
so this is how they respond to INTERNAL MATTERS of other countries...
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Aug 21, 2014 11:37am
Americans please mind your own business and do not interfere in democratic Pakistan's internal affair. You can continue your dirty politics of killing Muslims by strengthening Israel, but please hands off Pakistan.
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Aug 21, 2014 11:38am
It is not about what is acceptable to USA but what is acceptable to the people of Pakistan and the people of Pakistan won't accept a fake mandate. USA doesn't need to interfere in the internal matters of Pakistan. Imran Khan said last night that he seeks help from Allah alone and not America. USA probably didn't like his disobedient attitude towards America and thus issued this statement.
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Aug 21, 2014 11:38am
US better mind its own business. No need to interfere in pakistan's internal political situation
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Aug 21, 2014 11:41am
@Rahat: You want US to mind their own business. But you want them to side with you on talks on Kashmir.
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Aug 21, 2014 11:42am
Dear Marie Harf
how about "Pakistan has said that no extra-constitutional transfer of power in U.S was acceptable and warned that those
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Aug 21, 2014 11:48am
Actually USA is afraid of the fact that Imran Khan after getting elected as PM may not give them the privileges that other parties have been giving them in the past. No wonder the USA supports the electoral process but does not support electoral reforms.
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Aug 21, 2014 11:49am
While sincerely appreciating the concern US has for the political situation in Pakistan, I feel their focus should be on saving something bigger than the so called democracy in Pakistan, and that is saving the lives of innocent civilians in Gaza as well as within their own backyard, Ferguson.
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Aug 21, 2014 11:49am
USA stay away from and don't interfere in PAK affairs... You have no right to speak about our Country.
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Aug 21, 2014 11:49am
Yah yah, you said exactly the same thing for Hosni Mubaarak but seeing the support dropping for him, you changed your stance 180 degrees within 18 days
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Aug 21, 2014 11:52am
Put your own house in order first Marie Harf.
As is evident from the recent events in Ferguson, your constitution allows your own states to get away with serious crimes both domestically and internationally, and so it comes as no surprise that you support similar government sponsored oppression and tyranny abroad.
So you are the US state department deputy spokeswoman. How many lives have you taken and devastated outside of your country in the name of democracy? Pathetic.
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Aug 21, 2014 11:52am
Well done!
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Aug 21, 2014 11:53am
oh right? and rigged elections are completely constitutional? get your facts straight before making some silly comments US
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Aug 21, 2014 11:53am
Whatttttt ???? Why they doing a press conference for our matters. Our leaders dont have courage to tell them do their business..... I am suppporting IK now because NS dont have courage to tell them that. this is our internal matter please stay away.
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Aug 21, 2014 11:54am
ya keep ur puppets in power
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Aug 21, 2014 11:55am
Mr. Imran Khan should consider it, we have to pay US$ 70 Billion or Mr. Imran Khan, if elected Prime Minister in 2018 elections. But I doubt it now.
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Aug 21, 2014 11:56am
And this will make Pakistanis more anti American. Who are you to interfere in our affairs ?
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Aug 21, 2014 11:57am
Americans have one discipline for their own country and the so called international community and quite different for the third world countries.
The question is that if Richard Nixon can resign for Water gate scandal prematurely, why Sharifs can't who have committed far more serious crimes!
But then Americans like products of rigged elections and they always play a crucial role in installing their favourites. How the American can afford the lose of Sharifs!
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Aug 21, 2014 11:58am
Forgot to add to my message to U.S: Pakistani's want a real P.M this time and his name is ' IMRAN KHAN'. Write it somewhere in case you forget.
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Aug 21, 2014 11:59am
Najam Sethi the CIA operative who helped fix Nawaz punctures shows US wants Nawaz as PM with the agenda of befriending India and against China. Hence against popular Pakistan public sentiment , Nawaz kept ignoring Indian belligerence on Kashmir and LOC violations. US influence is waning fast due to its duplicity between Pakistan and India. US has not said a word on the brutal indian occupation of Kashmir. I guess they don't want Pakistani leaders who work for Pakistan but they want zardari's, Nazwaz's and traitor Dr. Afridi.
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Aug 21, 2014 12:00pm
who the hello are you teach us. mind of ur business...
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Aug 21, 2014 12:13pm
All are here hitting USA with caution words on not to interfere with PAK internal matters. If Modi can dare to side line USA while taking major decisions of national interest why can't PAK? It's good to see that after Patel and Indira now India got another iron man as Modi after long decades.
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Aug 21, 2014 12:15pm
of-course you wont my dear, and so do we. And now we know why zardari went to US, it's not the corrupt politician didn't respond to IK but they want to come from above not like this. They knew this would happened. and they can't handle it so they came to you. Anyhow we all know you require leaders like nawaz and zardari, and if be your place i do the same. who wants some to confront you except IK.
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Aug 21, 2014 12:18pm
If the votes can't be verified (which even gov. agrees), then how can they be considered authentic. If votes aren't authentic then how can the democracy formed by counting them be authentic. If the democracy isn't authentic then where is extra constitutional steps coming from, unless constitution (aka US gov.) says that fake votes also count.
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Aug 21, 2014 12:22pm
if visa is issued they will be the first in line to get it...
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Aug 21, 2014 12:22pm
Its Pakistan's internal matter. Mind your own Business
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Aug 21, 2014 12:23pm
hey, no need to interfere in pakistan matters........keep quite and silent.
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Aug 21, 2014 12:23pm
US has always supported its puppets. Has never supported democratic govts.
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Aug 21, 2014 12:23pm
Any statement like that it mean they wanted to get more support to Imran, peoples should understand that.
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Aug 21, 2014 12:23pm
Mohammed Morsi was also elected by a far more popular and transparent vote in Egypt than Nawaz was in Pakistan but the US were more than happy to see him go. Double standards indeed.
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Aug 21, 2014 12:25pm
How come supporting Israel to kill innocent children and women in Gaza is not extra-constitutional?
How come nuclear attack on Japan by US Air Force is not extra constitutional?
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Aug 21, 2014 12:26pm
The hardheadedness of IK will make PTI lose the most!
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Aug 21, 2014 12:27pm
@AGK
No one wants USA meddling in Pakistan's internal / regional matters, except the puppet rulers of Pakistan.
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Aug 21, 2014 12:33pm
Don't interfere with our constitution, you don't have any right to that. Yes every Pakistan Government is your puppet behind the scenes. It's also a dual standard in our country.
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Aug 21, 2014 12:36pm
Simply US supports current PM because its US Puppet Govt. in Pakistan.
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Aug 21, 2014 12:39pm
The US State Department has as much a right to issue a statement on Pakistan's currents affairs as much as Pakistan's Foreign Office has to make a statement on Gaza - its just a statement to outline the US's stand on the issue - its not a US SEAL team ready to invade at any time
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Aug 21, 2014 12:40pm
WOw. All these messages to tell U.S to mind its own business. Imran must be really of the nation to see these messages.
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Aug 21, 2014 12:44pm
Mr. USA this is where you go wrong. Pakistanis knows the ground reality well, how election was rigged & who were behind in installing Nawaz Sharif as PM. Would you agree with the results if mass election rigging takes place in the US, Peaceful protest is our democratic right & we are exercising it so why you are getting upset. Your undue interference in our affairs snatches you back from our heart. Let the Pakistanis decide what is good for them through peaceful means, this is what democracy demands. We have noticed that you only care for the rulers & support them in all their X & Y doing while you only talk about the masses but do nothing for them
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Aug 21, 2014 12:49pm
To all my countrymen. Please do not get perturbed on the statement from State Department.
They have said that they will not support any "unconstitutional" change in Pakistan. They never objected otherwise. Its the choice and right of people of Pakistan to select anyone as their rulers and US has a very transparent policy of not medelling into internal affairs of a country.
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Aug 21, 2014 12:50pm
We support extra-constitutional changes only when we NEED them.
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Aug 21, 2014 12:54pm
America should stay away from our internal affairs.American statement at this juncture is an open interference in Pakistani politics.Wherever in the world America has interfered the situation has got worse.This time America has issued a very wrong statement in support of Nawaz sharif. Nawaz sharif is not a genuine PM cz he is the product of rigged and engineered elections.
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Aug 21, 2014 12:55pm
@Rahat US is defending a corrupt PM.
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Aug 21, 2014 12:59pm
Look who is talking
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Aug 21, 2014 01:00pm
USA is doing a great disservice to Pakistan. When popular sentiment has turned away from IK, Quadri etc they are creating problems for PM Nawab Sharif. If they NEED to give advice they should discreetly tell the stakeholders in the present power struggle.
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Aug 21, 2014 01:00pm
We need a real leader Like Imran Khan... We don't need a puppet..... keep your puppet and leave Pakistan alone..
It's high time that Pakistan catches up with the rest of the world.
Keep your Aid and your interventions to yourself.
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Aug 21, 2014 01:01pm
Yeah, why is USA interfering with Pakistan Internal Affairs... and what sort of warning they are issuing to People of Pakistan? Drone attacks again? I think Pakistan should have enough guts to tell USA to bug off and mind their own internal affairs.
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Aug 21, 2014 01:03pm
This is the thing that hurts most. We are still a colony of the west. First we were under British, now under Americans. Its timewe stand on our feet and make our own decisions.NS please dont take shelter behind Americans....be a MAN
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Aug 21, 2014 01:08pm
why not why not after all he is very soft negotiator jaldi lait jata hai.
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Aug 21, 2014 01:09pm
Pakistan is a sovereign country and does not need US acceptance or refusal for its internal affairs
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Aug 21, 2014 01:12pm
A recent example of US democracy: killings of black Americans who are still considered as second category citizens by their white master!!!
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Aug 21, 2014 01:14pm
American government waits and check the scenario then release their statement in the favor of winning guys. Seems good policy, but here in Pakistan police do such job. Visits the site when incident takes 4 to 5 hours.
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Aug 21, 2014 01:14pm
This saga is becoming more
mysterious than a episode of
mystery movie Colombo what
is happening nobody knows.
Ya Allah forgive us!
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Aug 21, 2014 01:23pm
America mind your own business . No one ask you to accept or deny who are you to deny or accept.
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Aug 21, 2014 01:25pm
Excuse Me!!! Who are you to tell us this....Pakistan can tackle and solve its internal issues without any piece of advice from you...
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Aug 21, 2014 01:28pm
The protestors in Islamabad must be grateful to IMF, Army and now America for their press releases/ conferences. At least this is clear now that there's no 'third hand' behind these protests.
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Aug 21, 2014 01:28pm
Dear US you people were the first who supported the longest dictating eras in Pakistan. Lets pray you always support democracy not another sort of government whether it is in your favor or the favor of masses of the particular nations. God bless those who are stuck to principles.
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Aug 21, 2014 01:29pm
yes whatever you say...your humble servant Nawaz Sharif.
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Aug 21, 2014 01:32pm
@Taha Agree with you
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Aug 21, 2014 01:37pm
Perhaps Marie Harf needs to look closely at how elections, in many polling stations were executed last year, before making such statements. Unless, of course, she is confidently supporting such voting methods.
Unfortunately, US opinion is not irrelevant because Pakistan is severely dependent on its loan sanctions. Time to wake up, Pakistan and stand strong for a person who has the vision to build a nation, that won't be handicapped by debts from nations that will manipulate it into devastation.
We all know who this visionary is.
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Aug 21, 2014 01:57pm
@Shahid Gondal USA officials get precious gifts from NS not knowing they are public money. American officials are too innocent.
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Aug 21, 2014 02:05pm
If the US really wants to help Nawaz Sharif, they should keep quiet - they have no credibility with Pakistanis.
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Aug 21, 2014 02:07pm
I either don't think that any of US official is well aware by the meaning of Democracy, that is why they use to jump inside the matter of other countries.
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Aug 21, 2014 02:22pm
I have very simple comments:
Will USA allow govt to rule in USA if they find fraud in Election?
Will USA support their election if they find controversial election?
If there is a minor accident then why (in Europe and US) ministers are resigning?
US has double-face: different laws and conventions for them and notorious/bad laws & conventions for under developed countries.
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Aug 21, 2014 02:36pm
@Taha try walking with a begging bowl in your hand and then creating nuisance on the streets of Pakistan, you will get a lot of free advice from others.
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Aug 21, 2014 02:52pm
Your Majesty..... Yes sir, Your wish is our command.... after all you are the rulers of this galaxy, who are we to question you...
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Aug 21, 2014 02:52pm
I would hope that US would understand from the comments the feelings of Pakistanis, so do not intervene. This is not Egypt and this is not Hosni Mubarak
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Aug 21, 2014 02:54pm
Mind your own business and we will mind our own. Stop sending us every kind of aids. We don't want your dollars and weapons and keep off your drones from our territory. Just mind your own business.
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Aug 21, 2014 03:00pm
Obviously US is minding its own business of donating and controlling.
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Aug 21, 2014 03:04pm
@AGK NO, We want them to stay aside and avoid favoring Indians on the issue of Kashmir.
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Aug 21, 2014 03:05pm
This just gives the PTI movement an "OKAY" stamp. It just goes on to show that Imran is right in removing this "salve" of a goverment.
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Aug 21, 2014 03:06pm
@AGK :Seriously is that ur comment, plz stop making me laugh. Kashmir is an international issue not an internal issue. Its between Pakistan and India and therefore it needs a mediator. And as a mediator ofcourse we wud want US on our side , wudnt u? and if not probably u dont want kashmir that bad.
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Aug 21, 2014 03:13pm
@Taha I was about to comment exactly what you have already written.
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Aug 21, 2014 03:13pm
Also remember one thing that democracy can never give you security. We should implement True Islamic Laws and government system of Khilafah e Raashida, anything else will cause division, corruption and disunity; giving the enemies chance to infiltrate again.
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Aug 21, 2014 03:14pm
"The United States has said that no extra-constitutional transfer of power in Pakistan was acceptable and warned that those
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Aug 21, 2014 03:19pm
Yes US is minding its own business of donating and controlling.
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Aug 21, 2014 04:04pm
@Taha Because we take millions of dollars in form of aid from them, And billions in form of loans, They have every right to intervene how Pakistan will pay their debts if there is no stability.
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Aug 21, 2014 04:26pm
And who are you? Mind you own business.
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Aug 21, 2014 04:46pm
this is priceless...the US which has given its support to every unconstitutional government in pakistan now wants to champion the constitution
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Aug 21, 2014 04:55pm
Is Pakistan a colony of USA?
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Aug 21, 2014 05:03pm
YES BOSS!!
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Aug 21, 2014 05:11pm
I'm not American, however I don't think that the US are trying to impose their power on the current state of Pakistan, I believe it is simply a government representative offering their opinion on democracy in Pakistan. Like many below have offered there opinion on US affairs. We are all entitled to an opinion right? That's the beauty of democracy so maybe it is time to repair the government rather than destroy it and build on what we already have with out losing lives?
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Aug 21, 2014 05:40pm
USA needs stop interfering in internal matters of Pakistan. Ever seen Pakistan commenting any senate and house of representative members? Just simply stay away from ours..
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Aug 21, 2014 05:47pm
@Waheed Iqbal You want Pakistan to be another Arab Spring country like Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Libya or Tunisia?
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Aug 21, 2014 05:52pm
@Jordan But the fact is our comments can't influence decisions made in USA because if that could have happened then USA would have clarified or rather taken back this statement. However, the statement made by the US officials certainly have a huge impact on the people in the Parliament. They now feel more confident and arrogant than ever.
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Aug 21, 2014 06:05pm
@Taimoor Khan
I dont know why pakistani take usa as enemy. what we get by friendship of anti-usa? be friends with usa and get success like japan, korea and other alliance. imran khan was nice once upon a time. but now he got mad. they are just fighting for chairs. and our fool people are already ready to be fool.
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Aug 21, 2014 06:08pm
This Statement is great disservice to Nawaz Sharif, first of all meddling into internal matters (US have the MIGHT to do that), Pakistanis know US government preference for rulers in Pakistan and Middle-East, be it thru pseudo-democracy, dictatorship or monarchy.An US endorsement to Nawaz Sharif and people's resentment have direct proportion relationship.
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Aug 21, 2014 06:19pm
USA is simply telling Pakistan to uphold its own constitution...this is the way civilized democracies work...all these charges of corruption and election rigging have never been proven and are just a lot of political conspiracy theories...these are not a justifiable reason to over through the existing government...take a look around you at other Muslim countries that have disrupted governments...the USA is hoping sane voices will be heard over the screaming and political posturing of politicians
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Aug 21, 2014 06:59pm
In the old days some world leaders used to wish well for the US. Idi "Dada" Amin of Uganda, according to Associated Press wished former US President Late Richard Nixon "a speedy recovery" from Watergate.
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Aug 21, 2014 07:21pm
Dear US, mind your own business. It is our country, we know how to deal with it.
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Aug 21, 2014 10:07pm
@Imnida Friendship of USA has given nothing to Pakistan but death and destruction. We rather have them at arms length distance.
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Aug 21, 2014 11:05pm
This Statement is great disservice to Nawaz Sharif. Firstly it is meddling into internal matters (the US has the MIGHT to do that), Pakistanis know the US government's preference for rulers in Pakistan and Middle-East, be it thru pseudo-democracy, dictatorship or monarchy. A US endorsement to Nawaz Sharif and people's resentment have direct proportion relationship.
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Aug 21, 2014 11:15pm
Of-course not! Nawaz is your puppet!
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Aug 21, 2014 11:20pm
We do not support your government in meddling in other countries - look at your track record - Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Middle East...should we list more??
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Aug 21, 2014 11:20pm
@jitendra This is the very reason we want Imran Khan!!! Comprende!!
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Aug 21, 2014 11:23pm
@Malik You are being sarcastic right?
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Aug 21, 2014 11:28pm
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Aug 22, 2014 01:50am
Imran's message to the US yesterday was so brave. I guess he's the first Pakistani leader to challenge the US, straight in the eye. Shows he's not like the other politicians. But I'm scared the US won't let sharif resign as he's their puppet.
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Aug 22, 2014 05:19am
When the US government gives a statement, Pakistani's jump, shout and yell. When a NYT magazine writes some nonsense op-ed about Kashmir, Pakistani's jump, shout and yell. Indians are not much bothered by either of the institution's biased views, opinions or statements. Reason is India is not a US colony, case and point is the recent WTO episode. India decided on a stance, stood firm. The day Pakistan stops living on the US aid and stands firm, you don't have to hear such terms being dictated from Washington.
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Aug 22, 2014 06:09am
US need to practice what they preach. if they government come in power by rigged election then it is not a democracy if you are not sure check with your congress. Now all those who are puppet of US you should know better what American policies are all about. They do not care about you they only care for their interest. You can see in past what had happened to Hasni mubarak, Saddam and Shah of iran. America use to back them up till they found them no use to US.
Only Pakistanis should decide what should and should not be. There are tremendous amount of evidence that election was rigged. The only solution to have a re election with neutral care taker government
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Aug 22, 2014 06:20am
Washington please do not make same mistake over and over by standing up with the wrong guy as you did in Tehran, Bhadad and many other places. Imran is not Muslim Brotherhood and he is standing up a corrupt system who cannot sustain without your tax payers tips. Only way out is end of corruption. You must give Pakistani a chance to build corruption free Pakistan.
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Aug 22, 2014 10:18am
@Eddied "USA is simply telling Pakistan to uphold its own constitution..."
Pot calling the Kettle...!
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Aug 22, 2014 02:54pm
Americans are paying 1 billions dollars a month so have every right to tell Pakistan what they think. If you don't want them to meddle in Pakistan's business don't take theirs dollars.
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