WASHINGTON: The US State Department urged Pakistan to avoid excessive or extrajudicial force in investigations as scores of MQM workers protested outside the White House on Saturday.

“We consistently discuss these concerns with the government of Pakistan — in both civilian and military channels — as part of our ongoing dialogue on counterterrorism and security cooperation,” said Elizabeth Trudeau, a State Department spokesperson.

“That dialogue, including at the highest levels, emphasises that any excessive or extrajudicial use of force or breaches in due process and the rule of law ultimately undermines Pakistan’s dem­ocracy and long-term counterterrorism efforts.” She was responding to a question on the death of an MQM worker in the custody of Pakistan Rangers.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2016