US House panel seeks Pak electoral integrity

The Foreign Relations Committee of the US House of Representatives has unanimously passed a resolution aimed at bolstering democracy, transparency, and human rights in Pakistan, amidst concerns over electoral integrity and adherence to democratic principles.

The resolution, introduced on September 30, 2023, garnered 50 votes in favour and none against during the voting earlier this week. It now awaits further consideration and approval by the House of Representatives.

Highlighting key demands regarding Pakistan’s electoral process, the resolution underscored the necessity of transparent elections, upholding human rights, and adherence to the rule of law.

It urged President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to engage in enhanced dialogue and cooperation with Pakistani authorities to address these concerns and uphold democratic values in the region.

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The resolution follows a recent hearing in subcommittee on Wednesday, which focused on post-election democracy in Pakistan. It emphasised the importance of transparent elections in Pakistan, aligned with the aspirations of its people.

During the hearing, US Assistant Secretary of State on Central and South Asia, Donald Lu, underscored the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing claims of irregularities, and investigation into the allegations of interference or rigging in Pakistan’s recent general elections.

Meanwhile, there has been no official response from Pakistan regarding the resolution. However, during a weekly briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch expressed Pakistan’s readiness to engage in dialogue with the US to address any misunderstandings related to the elections.