US 'vigorously' supports succession of democracy in Pakistan: David Hale

E-Paper | December 05, 2025

ISLAMABAD: US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale on Thursday said "United States vigorously supports Pakistan's flourishing democracy".

Talking about comments made by Senator John McCain regarding extension in the tenure of Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, Hale said these kinds of questions are for Pakistan to answer and these are not the issues on which US will ever take a position.

"Frankly, I am impressed by how lively politics are in Pakistan. We have seen a peaceful transition from one elected government to another elected government," Hale said in an interview with Geo News.

Mansour was 'a hurdle in peace'

When asked about Taliban chief Mullah Mansour's death in a drone strike in Balochistan on May 21, Hale said that one must not forget "who was killed".

"The man had killed a number of civilians and US troops in Afghanistan, he also opposed dialogues and thus was a hurdle in peace dialogue," the US envoy added. "He was against negotiations, so we did what was needed to be done."

Afghan Taliban 'not interested' in peace talks

Hale lauded Pakistan's efforts in bringing Afghan Taliban on talk's table and the initiation of quadrilateral peace process in the last Heart Of Asia Conference, but claimed that Taliban are not interested in peace talks

"Twice they publicly rejected Pakistan's sincere calls to join peace talks. They have chosen the path of continued violence," Hale said, adding that we (US and Pakistan) need to find a way to Taliban's approach.

The US ambassador maintained that Afghan Taliban must renounce violence and enter political process.

Action against Haqqani network in 'Pakistan's interest'

Rejecting all possibilities of reconciliation with the Haqqani network, Hale opined that taking action against Haqqani network is in Pakistan's own interest.

Reminding Pakistan about COAS General Raheel Sharif's July 6 statement, he maintained that it is in Pakistan's own interest to take action against such groups.

"Haqqani network and other groups have demonstrated through their deeds that engagement isn't going to get the results," said Hale.

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Amad

Jul 28, 2016 11:04pm

One must also remember who the 'US' are. They are the ones who started war against Taliban government in Afghanistan. Who used Pakistan and mujahedeen as a tissue paper against Soviets. Vietnam, Cuba, Iraq, Edward Snowden and now Syria. Start looking within Mr. Ambassador and stop teaching the world democratic values while you have none. Planted interviews can hardly convince anyone.

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Ambar Kakar

Jul 28, 2016 11:21pm

Please Support Democracy In Turkey, Egypt Saudi Arbia & Sheikhdoms.

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anon

Jul 29, 2016 12:11am

@Amad Did US also force Pakistan to allow itself be used by US?

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Gerry D'Cunha

Jul 29, 2016 12:13am

US diplomatic statement should be understood very minutely,it always carry two meanings ( supportive and non supportive in this case)

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Aziz

Jul 29, 2016 12:23am

Is it the same thing as "regime change"?

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Syed Ali

Jul 29, 2016 12:24am

Ambassador is right to ask Pakistan to do the right thing that is to be more aggressive in working towards eliminating Haqqani network. On the question of democracy his statement is tantamount of saying we are ok with the current status quo, US will prefer to deal with men in uniform than with elected leaders; case in point is the coup in Egypt; and the failed coup in Turkey as blamed by Erdogan. Seriously US is not helping Fragile democracy in Pakistan by condoning military takeover of Defense and foreign affairs. Also in USA it will never happen that elected mayors will be denied right to govern rather hailed as is the case in Sindh; where MQM has been denied to run local affairs. What US ambassador did is he articulated US policy position in dealing with Pakistan.

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Ali

Jul 29, 2016 12:37am

I think America needs to deal with domestic extremists (like Donald Trump) before they try to lecture Pakistan.

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noshin

Jul 29, 2016 01:04am

earlier the US has maintained it's support for military dictator G.Pervaiz Musharraf. who is in power is suited to the US! !!

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noshin

Jul 29, 2016 01:07am

hamid mir should preferrably asked him about the US interests in Pakistan since 9/11 and their timely inclinations towards India.

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Kamal Pasha

Jul 29, 2016 01:44am

People of Pakistan also want democracy, BUT not by corrupt politicians who have bankrup the country in the name of democracy.

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suchbaath

Jul 29, 2016 02:20am

US supports democracy being a democratic country including accountability at all levels, and no one is above law. Question should be if USA supports democracy with accountability and no one above law. Or the so called 3rd world democracy where elected officials are above law and never go through accountability, even the names appears in Panama Leak or Swiss Surrey Mahal. Question can also be rephrased if US supports dictatorship with accountability and good governance, so poor people at least have chance to get their rights, and chance to be successful like in USA where even immigrants are successful.

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Serious Senior

Jul 29, 2016 03:48am

Do more !!!

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A shah

Jul 29, 2016 03:52am

@Amad stop blaming everyone else and admit that it is Pakistan who can control its own destiny

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Just thought

Jul 29, 2016 04:00am

Democracy is the best system,only if good governance is maintained.Unfortunately the previous rulers nor the current Pakistani ruling elites conforms to the sacred high standard-copia,of sustainable democracy.

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Ayub

Jul 29, 2016 04:55am

During the last three decades, the actions of US has altered the very meaning and values of democracy. One can rightly say that democracy is the government sanctioned by the Americans just for serving the interests of Americans.

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Khwarizmi

Jul 29, 2016 05:15am

US always has a say in everything what happenes in Pakistan. Most of the time they get what they want. Raymond Davis is an example of that. There are also times when they do not get what they want: Dr. Afridi and the rollback of Pakistan's nuclear weapons program. Also, US is also the nation which has supported dictatorships in different countries and influenced election against the will of the people. Egypt is fesh in my mind where they supported dictatorship and not democracy.

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Auginpk

Jul 29, 2016 05:33am

Actually it is better to engage USA in commerce than in active military activities. In case of military activities, at some point they have to leave or get out of operation area. Leaving the other countries in lurch. The commercial collaboration is also not very rosy but they will not leave one in lurch. Anyway their comments on support to democracy is welcome.

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Dr. Farooq Khan

Jul 29, 2016 05:55am

Americans are good people and I totally believe that there system has given more goods to the world than bads. They made a mistake in Iraq, Libya and many other countries but still it was not solely their own mistake. People of those countries themselves invited them to do that. We should not totally ignore this factor as well.

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Shan

Jul 29, 2016 05:55am

US will kill all Afghan Taliban one by one till they surrender to Us without any pre conditions.

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Muhammad Arshad Khan

Jul 29, 2016 06:12am

His Excellency, honourabe Viceroy need not assure us, the scribes. Every second of our blood-filled sixty nine years history reveals the utmost support extended to our democracy by His Highness' country.

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xpakistani

Jul 29, 2016 06:26am

The US of A does not have a consistent policy about other countries. All it cares about is its own national interest. It is this line of thinking that has eroded the adulation and respect which other nations had for the US. The US may be able to browbeat a few leaders around the world, but ultimately people around the world are not very impressed by its efforts towards world peace. It has turned itself as the Darth Vader of the modern era. O mighty USA, how we love your contributions to all spheres of life, please go back to the fundamentals of your founding fathers and bring liberty and peace to the suffering people of the world instead of becoming a glorified arms merchant.

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Usman Khan

Jul 29, 2016 06:36am

'Vigorously supports' is Washington doublespeak for changes that are afoot.

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Syed Chishti

Jul 29, 2016 09:33am

Congratulations Mr. Ambassador Hale; "US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale on Thursday said "United States vigorously supports Pakistan's flourishing democracy". You being a Democratic Party member your continued support to Pakistan means a lot under the prevalent security situation. I saw it first hand & looking forward for better US and Pakistan relations. Today July_28th_2016: She (Hillary Clinton) did it, and did it very well in her acceptance speech as the nominated Presidential candidate of Democratic Party running for the President of the United States on the fourth day at DNC convention in Philadelphia, USA. She delivered the policy mandate agenda for winning the White House on the 8th of November 2016. She has spelled out the Democratic Party mandate for US election 2016.Now it's up to registered US Citizens to go out&cast their votes to what they believe in what America stands for in the eyes of its own people,&for the rest of the world. Good luck Madame Hillary Clinton.

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Gerry D'Cunha

Jul 29, 2016 03:37pm

@Syed Chishti the democratics are also banking on Muslims vote while Trump is banking on Muslims terrorism in the country. The people of America are intelligent people and know who is going to save their country from this menace of terrorism since 9/11.

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