ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Thursday it would introduce a resolution in its parliament to counter a US congressional resolution criticising the February 8 general elections and allegations of electoral fraud.
The announcement was made in a plenary session of Parliament by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar after the US House of Representatives, through a resolution, demanded a thorough and independent investigation into Pakistan’s elections.
Dar said the government, with the permission of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, would “table a counter resolution to this (US) resolution.” “We have to show our sovereignty, we have to show our unity, we have to show that we are serious,” he said.
A leader of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) said the government has taken note of the US resolution and a draft resolution is ready which will be shared with the opposition parties, and urged them to unite in a clear resolve to oppose the US resolution.
He also noted that the resolution would likely be passed once the 2024-25 budget discussions are concluded.
Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had responded to the US resolution, citing a lack of understanding of the country’s political situation and electoral process.
“We believe that the timing and background of this resolution are not in keeping with the trend of good relations between the two countries,” the ministry said.
The resolution, passed by the US Congress on Tuesday by an overwhelming 368-7 vote, urged 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 facing its candidates, including a legal battle with the Election Commission of Pakistan that has forced them to run as independents, without their iconic bat symbol.
Published June 27, 2024 23:40 IST
