US calls for allowing elections.

WASHINGTON -- The US has called on all sides in Pakistan to allow the people elect their future leadership, in accordance with the country's laws and Constitution.

At a departmental press briefing on Monday afternoon, State DepaArtment Spokesperson Vedant Patel said that any implication of violence, harassment, or intimidation has no place in politics.

He was responding to a question regarding the 'current political chaos in Pakistan', and specifically, the threats made by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to former prime minister Imran Khan, during a recently broadcast interview.

While Mr Patel was careful not to comment on the minister's remarks, he said that Washington encouraged 'all sides in Pakistan to respect the rule of law and allow the people of Pakistan to democratically determine their own country's leadership pursuant to their own Constitution and laws.'

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The statement - made at a news briefing on Monday afternoon - is being seen as many as indicating Washington's desire to convince the people of Pakistan that it shares their concerns, but does not support any particular party or leader.

However, it leaves enough space for both the government and the opposition to interpret it as supporting their respective positions.

At recent events in the US capital, diplomats have privately shared concerns over the current situation in Pakistan. American policy makers, they say, wanted people of Pakistan to know that they were on their side, but fear that whatever they say could be interpreted as supporting...