The United States while questioning the fairness of the Pakistan elections has said that it shared the concerns expressed by the European Union and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, reported the Dawn.
In a statement, the US State Department underlined what it said were flaws in the pre-voting electoral process and the constraints placed on freedom of expression and association.
“The United States shares concerns about flaws in the pre-voting electoral process, as expressed by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan,” said the department’s spokesperson Heather Nauert.
“These included constraints placed on freedoms of expression and association during the campaign period that were at odds with Pakistani authorities’ stated goal of a fully fair and transparent election.”
Nauert said the United States concurs with the conclusions of the European Union Election Observation Mission, whose report notes that while there were positive changes to the legal framework for elections in Pakistan, these were “overshadowed by restrictions on freedom of expression and unequal campaign opportunities”.
The United States also “has deep reservations over the participation of terrorist-affiliated individuals in the elections,” said the US official while commending Pakistani voters for “fully rejecting these candidates” at the ballot box on Wednesday.
“Along with our international partners, the United States will continue to encourage a broadening of opportunities for political participation for all Pakistanis, and for the further strengthening of legitimate, democratic institutions,” said Nauert.
“As Pakistan’s elected leaders form a new government, the United States will look for opportunities to work with them to advance our goals of security, stability, and prosperity in South Asia,” she added.
In the opening paragraph, the State Department also commended “the courage of the Pakistani people, including many women,” who turned out to vote and showed resolve to determine their country’s future.
In the country’s General elections, Imran Khan lead Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf emerged as the single largest party and is set to form the new government in the country.
It is pertinent to mention here that US them selves had alleged Russia of meddling in their elections.
US President Donald Trump recently said that he holds Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin personally responsible for the alleged meddling into the 2016 general elections.
When inquired about if he agreed with the US intelligence assessment that Russia meddled in the 2016 elections, he told CBS News, “I have said that numerous times before, and I would say that is true, yeah.”
“But you haven’t condemned Putin, specifically. Do you hold him personally responsible?” he was asked.
“Well, I would, because he’s in charge of the country. Just like I consider myself to be responsible for things that happen in this country. So certainly as the leader of a country you would have to hold him responsible,” Trump said.
Khan, during his first public address after the elections has said that he has envisioned a ‘Medina-like Islamic Welfare State which will be sympathetic towards the weaker sections of the society.
On ties with the U.S., Khan said Pakistan wants balanced relations that would be mutually beneficial. He also mentioned that he and his party wanted stronger ties with both Iran and Saudi Arabia. “We will strengthen our relations with China. They have provided us an opportunity by investing in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,” he said.
