WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution supporting democracy and human rights in Pakistan, calling for an independent investigation into allegations of fraud in the country’s February 8 general elections. Pakistan’s general elections were marred by a nationwide mobile internet shutdown on election day, pre-election arrests and violence, and unusually slow vote-counting periods – problems that led to widespread accusations of voter fraud.
The lawmakers sponsoring the resolution, HR 901, titled “Exhibiting Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Pakistan,” said the overwhelming support highlights the United States’ commitment to promoting democratic values globally.
The resolution, passed by an overwhelming 368-7 vote on Tuesday, called on US President Joe Biden to work with Pakistan to uphold democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
The report stressed the importance of free and fair elections and called for a thorough and independent investigation into allegations of interference and fraud in Pakistan’s 2024 elections.
The resolution stressed the need for Pakistanis to take part in the democratic process, months after general elections were allegedly rigged.
Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is among the parties challenging the results, citing major obstacles faced by its candidates, including a legal battle with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that has forced them to run as independents without their party’s iconic bat symbol.
Following the elections, Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Bilawal Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) formed a coalition government, while the PTI and other parties became opposition parties.
The resolution calls for a “full and independent investigation into allegations of interference and fraud in Pakistan’s February 2024 elections.”
The report also condemned “attempts to suppress Pakistani people’s participation in democracy through harassment, intimidation, violence, arbitrary detention, restrictions on access to the internet and communications, and violations of their human, civil, and political rights.”
It also condemned “all attempts to subvert Pakistan’s political, electoral and judicial processes.”
The resolution was introduced by Republican Rep. Rich McCormick of Georgia and co-sponsored by Democratic Rep. Daniel Kildee of Michigan. According to Dawn, the original resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives on November 30, 2023, and was amended on June 18 of this year.
Meanwhile, Pakistan on Wednesday criticised Resolution 901, saying it lacked understanding of the country’s political situation and electoral process and was not constructive or objective.
Responding to media queries regarding the resolution, Pakistan Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch confirmed that they were taking note of the passing of the resolution.
“We believe that the timing and context of this resolution are not in keeping with the trend of good relations between the two countries and stem from a lack of understanding of Pakistan’s political situation and electoral process,” Baloch told The Express Tribune.
She stressed that Pakistan, as the world’s second largest parliamentary democracy and the fifth largest overall, remains committed to constitutionalism, human rights and the rule of law in line with its national interest.
Baloch stressed the importance of constructive dialogue and engagement based on mutual respect and understanding.
“Hence, such a resolution is neither constructive nor objective. We hope that the US Congress will play a collaborative role in strengthening Pakistan-US ties and focus on paths of mutual cooperation that will benefit both our peoples and countries,” she added.
The lawmakers sponsoring the resolution, HR 901, titled “Exhibiting Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Pakistan,” said the overwhelming support highlights the United States’ commitment to promoting democratic values globally.
The resolution, passed by an overwhelming 368-7 vote on Tuesday, called on US President Joe Biden to work with Pakistan to uphold democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
The report stressed the importance of free and fair elections and called for a thorough and independent investigation into allegations of interference and fraud in Pakistan’s 2024 elections.
The resolution stressed the need for Pakistanis to take part in the democratic process, months after general elections were allegedly rigged.
Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is among the parties challenging the results, citing major obstacles faced by its candidates, including a legal battle with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that has forced them to run as independents without their party’s iconic bat symbol.
Following the elections, Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Bilawal Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) formed a coalition government, while the PTI and other parties became opposition parties.
The resolution calls for a “full and independent investigation into allegations of interference and fraud in Pakistan’s February 2024 elections.”
The report also condemned “attempts to suppress Pakistani people’s participation in democracy through harassment, intimidation, violence, arbitrary detention, restrictions on access to the internet and communications, and violations of their human, civil, and political rights.”
It also condemned “all attempts to subvert Pakistan’s political, electoral and judicial processes.”
The resolution was introduced by Republican Rep. Rich McCormick of Georgia and co-sponsored by Democratic Rep. Daniel Kildee of Michigan. According to Dawn, the original resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives on November 30, 2023, and was amended on June 18 of this year.
Meanwhile, Pakistan on Wednesday criticised Resolution 901, saying it lacked understanding of the country’s political situation and electoral process and was not constructive or objective.
Responding to media queries regarding the resolution, Pakistan Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch confirmed that they were taking note of the passing of the resolution.
“We believe that the timing and context of this resolution are not in keeping with the trend of good relations between the two countries and stem from a lack of understanding of Pakistan’s political situation and electoral process,” Baloch told The Express Tribune.
She stressed that Pakistan, as the world’s second largest parliamentary democracy and the fifth largest overall, remains committed to constitutionalism, human rights and the rule of law in line with its national interest.
Baloch stressed the importance of constructive dialogue and engagement based on mutual respect and understanding.
“Hence, such a resolution is neither constructive nor objective. We hope that the US Congress will play a collaborative role in strengthening Pakistan-US ties and focus on paths of mutual cooperation that will benefit both our peoples and countries,” she added.
