US says watching Pakistan political unrest with 'concern'

The United States on August 9 said it was watching with concern the prospect of election violence in Pakistan, which is set for polls from which leading politician Imran Khan has been barred.

John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council was responding to a question on whether violent extremists were taking advantage of political turmoil as the world's fifth-most populous country heads to the polls.

The United States has been cautious in its comments on Khan and the election itself, fearing it will stir up conspiracy theories.

Khan, a critic of US military operations, has alleged that a senior US official worked to oust him -- claims strongly rejected by the United States.