“Our understanding is this is the beginning of what would be a complete complex political process, but certainly banning of a political party is something that would be a great concern to us,” US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a press briefing on Monday.

He was asked about the US administration’s reaction to the federal government’s decision to move a case in the apex court to ban Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, days after twin court decisions that favoured the former leader.

Former prime minister Imran Khan and his PTI got major relief last week when an Islamabad judge overturned his illegal marriage conviction while the top court awarded the former ruling party more parliamentary seats.

Both cases were considered a major blow to the coalition government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Shari as many believed the decision would end the treasury benches majority in the National Assembly.

In response to another question, Miller said: “We support the peaceful upholding of constitutional democratic principles including respect for human rights and freedom of expression. We support democratic processes in broader princes, including the rule of law and equal justice under the law.

He went on to add that the administration would monitor the court decisions.

“As those internal processes continue to play out we will monitor these decisions any further decisions by the courts.”