Holbrooke says US not meddling in Pak’s internal affairs

ISLAMABAD - US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, has clarified that Washington is not meddling in Pakistan’s internal affairs.

“Political instability is always a concern. But I think all sides in Pakistan’s current political situation have said that the US does not need to get involved and should not get involved. So we are not,” the Daily Times quoted Holbrooke, as saying.

“If we are asked to get involved and people thought that we could be helpful, as it sometimes occurred in the past, we will be happy to do so. But we are watching with sympathy and support for civilian government in Pakistan,” he added.

When asked if his comments would have a political impact in the country, Holbrooke said “that is standard American position. The Obama administration has been unambiguous in supporting the democratically elected civilian government in Pakistan and everybody knows that. And it may have a impact, it may not. What I simply said is a factually correct statement. There is no news in that”.

“We are not interfering in the domestic affairs of Pakistan but we are friends of the Pakistani people and the democratically elected government,” he added. (ANI)