Islamabad, 26 June 2024, (GNP): The United States (US) House of Representatives objected to Pakistan’s 2024 national elections through a resolution. In response, Pakistan’s Foreign Office dismissed the claims, describing them as based on an inadequate understanding of Pakistan’s electoral procedures.
“Pakistan has taken note of the passage of the House Resolution 901 by the US House of Representatives on June 25,” FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in response to media queries on Wednesday.
She said, “We believe that the timing and context of this particular resolution does not align well with the positive dynamics of our bilateral ties, and stems from an incomplete understanding of the political situation and electoral process in Pakistan.”
Pakistan’s stance underscores a dedication to fostering constructive dialogue and engagement founded on mutual respect and understanding. This statement came in response to recent developments where the US House of Representatives passed House Resolution 901, a significant majority supporting democracy and human rights in Pakistan. The resolution specifically called for an impartial investigation into reported irregularities during Pakistan’s general elections on February 8, 2024.
The resolution, passed with 368 members in favor and seven against, highlights the bipartisan concern in the US Congress regarding allegations of electoral interference and irregularities in Pakistan. It emphasizes the importance of conducting a comprehensive and independent inquiry to address any perceived issues and uphold the integrity of the electoral process. Pakistan’s Foreign Office reacted by rejecting assertions made in the resolution, characterizing them as stemming from a limited understanding of Pakistan’s electoral procedures.
This exchange underscores the ongoing international scrutiny and dialogue concerning democratic processes and human rights standards in Pakistan, reflecting broader concerns within the global community about electoral integrity and governance transparency.
Through the resolution, US lawmakers have underscored the importance of public participation in Pakistan’s democratic process, particularly in light of widespread allegations of rigging and delays following the general elections. Opposition parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), contested the election results, citing significant obstacles that forced many of their candidates to run independently after losing their party’s iconic bat symbol due to a legal dispute with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Following the elections, a coalition government led by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), alongside other parties, took office, leaving PTI and other opposition parties in minority seats.
The resolution condemns efforts to suppress Pakistani citizens’ participation in democracy, highlighting concerns over harassment, intimidation, violence, arbitrary detention, restrictions on internet and telecommunications access, and violations of human, civil, and political rights. This reflects international apprehension over the integrity of democratic processes and human rights protections in Pakistan.
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The resolution also condemned “any effort to subvert the political, electoral, or judicial processes of Pakistan”.
Responding to the allegations, the FO spokesperson said, “Pakistan, as the world’s second-largest parliamentary democracy and fifth-largest democracy overall, is committed to the values of constitutionalism, human rights and rule of law in pursuance of our own national interest.”
Such resolutions, she further said, are therefore neither constructive nor objective. “We hope that the US Congress will play a supportive role in strengthening Pakistan-US ties and focus on avenues of mutual collaboration that benefit both our peoples and countries,” Baloch concluded.
