ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday called for the immediate release of deposed Egyptian President Mohammad Morsi and urged the restoration of democratic institutions in Egypt.

“Pakistan urges all sides in Egypt to address the legal and constitutional issues in an inclusive and peaceful manner to enable the country to successfully restore the democratic institutions as early as possible,” Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry said in a press statement issued Friday.

“We also call for the immediate release of Mr. Mohammad Morsi,” said the foreign office.

Pakistan’s most recent statement is a departure from its earlier stance on the overthrow of the Morsi government. Previous statements has emphasised upholding the values of democracy and aspirations of the Egyptian people.

Acknowledging the ‘January 2011 revolution’ in Egypt that ousted former dictator Hosni Mubarak, the foreign office said the recent loss of innocent lives was a “major setback for Egypt’s return to democracy.”

The statement comes the same day as clashes erupted during massive rallies by ousted president Morsi’s opponents and loyalists, and reports of at least two people killed in the violence.

According to reports, more than 100,000 Morsi opponents took to streets in response to a call from army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for Egyptians to show their support for a security clampdown on “terrorism”.

“Having itself suffered from repeated extra-constitutional interventions, Pakistan is opposed to military interventions for resolution of disputes in any country,” said the Pakistani Foreign Office spokesman.

Chaudhry said Pakistan hoped Egypt would be able to “deal with its affairs in a manner that ensures political stability, sustained democracy and development of their country.”