The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan resolution supporting democracy and human rights in Pakistan and calling for a “thorough and independent” investigation into allegations of fraud in the country’s February general elections.
Pakistan’s February 8 general election was marred by violence, a nationwide internet shutdown, arrests and unusually delayed results counting, sparking allegations that the process was rigged.
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 lawmakers, who sponsored the resolution titled “Exhibiting Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Pakistan,” said the overwhelming support highlights the U.S.’s commitment to promoting democratic values globally.
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 general elections.
The resolution stressed the need for Pakistanis to participate in the democratic process and condemned “any attempt to subvert Pakistan’s political, electoral and judicial processes.”
The statement also condemned “attempts to suppress the participation of Pakistanis in democracy through harassment, intimidation, violence, arbitrary detention, restrictions on internet and telecommunications access, or violations of their human, civil and political rights.”
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by jailed former prime minister and former cricketer Imran Khan, is among the parties challenging the results after a legal battle with the Election Commission forced it to field an independent candidate without its signature bat symbol.
Despite PTI-backed independent candidates winning the most seats, Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz faction and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s Pakistan People’s Party formed a coalition government, with the PTI and other parties in opposition.
Pakistan criticizes resolution
Pakistan’s foreign ministry took note of the resolution passed by the US House of Representatives and said the step arose out of a “lack of understanding” of Pakistan’s political situation and electoral process.
“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,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told Pakistan’s Express Tribune newspaper.
She stressed the importance of constructive dialogue and engagement based on understanding and mutual respect.
“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 our two peoples and countries,” Baloch added.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif slammed the US over the resolution, saying his country had “no right to interfere in its internal affairs.”
“They have no right to interfere in our internal affairs or pass any judgement on the matter,” Asif told local broadcaster Geo News.
He called the resolution “worthless” and described it as political posturing in a US election year.
(With input from relevant agencies)
