ISLAMABAD: Protest leaders mounted a wave of verbal attacks against the United States a day after the State Department’s statement on the political crisis in Pakistan appeared to be warning against “people attempting to impose” extra-constitutional changes.

The US embassy on Thursday reiterated opposition to attempts to “impose extra-constitutional change to the political system”, but without a reference to the protesters.

The statement from the US embassy, apparently meant to clarify Washington’s position on the anti-government protests, failed to pacify Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) leaderships, both of whom saw it as interference in the country’s internal affairs.

Addressing the protesters, PTI Chairman Imran Khan said “does democracy require a no-objection certificate from the US”.

Does democracy in Pakistan require a no-objection certificate from the US, asks the PTI leader

Posing a question to US Ambassador Richard Olson, he asked if the Americans would accept an election in their own country where there were 60,000-70,000 unverified voters in each constituency.

“Are we children of a lesser god,” Mr Khan questioned and asked the US not to interfere in “our internal matters and take sides in the political dispute”.

PAT leader Raheeq Abbassi, addressing the crowd earlier in the day, said that after being encouraged by the US, the government was planning a crackdown against protesters.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2014