ISLAMABAD, July 26: Pakistan called on Egyptian authorities on Friday to release deposed president Mohamed Morsi and restore democratic institutions in the country.

“Pakistan urges all sides in Egypt to address legal and constitutional issues in an inclusive and peaceful manner to enable the country to successfully restore democratic institutions as early as possible. We also call for the immediate release of Mr Morsi,” Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry said.

The statement came on the day when supporters of Mr Morsi and those in favour of the military intervention which ousted him held massive rallies.

Pro-Morsi protesters have been holding demonstrations since July 3, while his opponents took to the streets after a call by Army Chief Gen Abdel Fattah El Sisi for rallies to strengthen the military’s ‘mandate’ to stop “violence and terrorism”.

The tone of the FO statement on Friday was in contrast to some of its earlier statements on Mr Morsi’s overthrow in the aftermath of some anti-Morsi protests. The earlier statements had underlined “honouring aspirations of the people”.

The statement noted that Mr Morsi’s ouster was a major setback for return of democracy to Egypt and to the achievement of aims and objectives of Jan 2011 revolution.—Staff Reporter