U.S. hopes Pakistan will resolve political crisis

Washington, Apr 27 (ANI): The United States has voiced hope that Pakistan would resolve the political crisis surrounding Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, which has heated up just as both nations look to repair an uneasy partnership.

The U.S., however, refused to comment on conviction in contempt of court case.

"We do consider this an internal matter," said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.

"We expect that Pakistan is going to resolve these kinds of issues in a just way and a transparent way that upholds Pakistani laws and its constitution," The News quoted her, as adding.

The State Department said Marc Grossman, the U.S. Special Envoy visiting Islamabad, would meet Gilani, whom the Supreme Court found guilty of contempt over his refusal to obey an order to write to the authorities in Switzerland asking them to restart corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

Relations between the U.S. and Pakistan have been strenuous for the past year after a U.S. raid killed Osama bin Laden and a NATO attack near the Afghanistan border killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

Nuland said Grossman discussed all issues presented by Pakistan, which has urged an end to U.S. drone strikes in its territory and sought a formal apology for the troops' killing. (ANI)