WASHINGTON: As the first ray of hope for a negotiated settlement to the current political dispute appeared in Islamabad, the United States on Tuesday urged all sides to resolve their differences through “peaceful dialogue”.

At a news briefing in Washington, the US State Department’s spokesperson adopted a very careful approach and refused to predict how the political impasse would end. But she did urge the disputing parties to work together to strengthen democracy in Pakistan.

Also read: No extra-constitutional changes in Pakistan acceptable: US

In earlier statements, the State Department had strongly opposed all violent efforts to bring down the government and had also made it obvious that it would oppose any “extra-constitutional” means to bring about a political change in Pakistan.

But at Tuesday’s briefing, spokesperson Jen Psaki stressed the need for reconciliation between the government and the protesters.

“We are closely watching the situation in Pakistan and we have been in touch with our appropriate counterparts there,” said the US official when informed that all opposition parties in the Pakistani parliament had pledged to back Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and to resist any extra-constitutional means to replace him.

“I don’t have any predictions” regarding the outcome, said Ms Psaki when a journalist asked how the United States would react if there was a military coup against the Sharif government. “We typically will not do that.”

The State Department official once again clarified that the United States was not involved in any “processes” or “discussions” between parties in the current political dispute in Pakistan.

She, however, reiterated the US stance that “the parties should work together” and resolve their differences through “a peaceful dialogue in ways that would strengthen democracy in Pakistan”.

She refused to comment on former US ambassador Cameron Munter’s recent statement that the United States would impose sanctions on Pakistan if there were a military coup.

“I would not add to what I said,” said the State Department spokesperson.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2014