UK envoy stresses free, credible elections in Pakistan

British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott on Wednesday stressed the need for conducting free, credible, transparent and inclusive elections in Pakistan.

The British envoy shared on her social media website X account about the meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja at the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) office in the federal capital.

"Important introductory meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja at ECP today," Marriot wrote in her post.

The diplomat added that she and the CEC agreed that it was crucial for Pakistan to witness "free, credible, transparent and inclusive elections in line with the law".

The meeting between the UK envoy and CEC Raja comes at a time when the country is awaiting the announcement for the next general polls which, at the moment, remain in limbo owing to the matter of delimitation of constituencies following the digital census held earlier this year.

This is not the first time that a foreign envoy has met the ECP chief and commented on the conduct of general polls in the country.

Read also: US wants free and fair polls in Pakistan, Blome tells PM Kakar

Last month, United States' Ambassador Donald Blome also met CEC Raja to reaffirm his country's support for "free and fair elections", adding that it would work to strengthen the US-Pakistan relationship with "whomever the Pakistani people choose".

Separately in a meeting between interim Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and UK’s Minister of State Lord Tariq Ahmed, on the sidelines of 10th Commonwealth Youtu Ministerial Meeting held at the Commonwealth Headquarters, both ministers agreed to strengthen the institutional coordination to further improve bilateral relations.

In the meeting, the two sides discussed in detail the bilateral relations, expressing satisfaction over the current trajectory of the ties.

The two ministers agreed to take measures for further promotion of bilateral relations.

They held deliberations over the formulation of a joint strategy to increase bilateral trade as well as cooperate in education and climate change sectors.

Both Foreign Minister Jilani and Lord Tariq appreciated the services of the overseas Pakistani community for the two countries.

(With input from app)