Pakistan’s parliament has strongly rejected a recent US resolution calling for an investigation into Pakistan’s general elections, adopting a resolution on Friday condemning the US congressional action despite opposition from lawmakers from jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party who claim the February 8 vote was fraudulent.
The resolution was introduced by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Shaista Pervaiz Malik, who claimed the US resolution was “contrary to the facts” and an “interference” in Pakistan’s internal affairs.
In a televised address, Malik said the US resolution passed on Wednesday was “completely contrary to the facts” and that Pakistan would not tolerate any interference in its internal affairs.
This latest development came a day after Pakistan’s foreign ministry rejected the US congressional resolution, stunning Pakistani officials.
Islamabad announced on Friday its decision to appoint a new ambassador to the United States to replace Masood Khan.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told a news conference that Khan would be replaced by diplomat Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, but she said the new appointment was already under consideration.
Baluchi said Pakistan regrets the resolution passed by the US House of Representatives.
“This resolution clearly stems from an inadequate and erroneous understanding of Pakistan’s political and electoral processes. It is also an unwanted interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs,” she said.
Pakistan’s top leadership expressed anger at the US resolution, but Khan’s party welcomed it, saying its electoral victory had been turned into a defeat by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Khan’s party won the most seats but fell short of the simple majority needed to form a government, paving the way for his political opponents to form a coalition government.
The US House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bipartisan resolution in support of democracy and human rights in Pakistan, calling for a “thorough and independent investigation” into Pakistan’s alleged interference in the 2024 elections. The resolution, which was passed with 98% support and 85% of House members joining, called on US President Joe Biden to work with Pakistan in “upholding democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”
The resolution, HR 901, entitled “Expressing Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Pakistan,” was introduced by Rep. McCormick of Georgia and Rep. Kildee of Michigan, with over 100 of their peers as co-sponsors.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who succeeded Khan after a parliamentary vote of no confidence forced him from power in 2022, has repeatedly proposed dialogue with Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, which has a strong presence in parliament.
But Khan’s party rejected the offer, claiming Sharif came to power through vote-rigging.
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