MPs deem US Congressmen's letter 'interference'

160 lawmakers reject skewed view of domestic politics

ISLAMABAD:

A coalition of 160 parliamentarians has expressed strong discontent over a recent letter from 62 US Congressmen, calling for re-evaluation of the US commentary on Pakistan's political dynamics and urging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address perceived external interference, it emerged on Thursday.

In their letter to the prime minister, the lawmakers criticised the US legislators for what they deemed a skewed view of Pakistan's domestic politics. They argued that the letter exaggerates a political narrative that primarily serves the interests of a single political party, namely Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The parliamentarians contend that this portrayal undermines the integrity of Pakistan's state institutions and other political entities.

While acknowledging the US Congressmen's rights to political opinion and free speech, the Pakistani lawmakers emphasized that their perspectives allegedly appear to be influenced by disinformation propagated by Imran's supporters.

They called for a clearer distinction between facts and fiction and urged the US legislators to critically assess the motives behind such narratives.

"We, as parliamentarians consider ourselves duty-bound to inform the respected members of Congress through the honourable Prime Minister," they stated, "to separate facts from fiction and critically view the political motives behind the campaign to discredit credible political process in Pakistan and undermine its democratic institutions."

The letter highlighted the challenges Pakistan faces in an era marked by political polarisation and the cult of personality surrounding Imran Khan. They noted that Khan has resorted to inciting violence and intimidation against political rivals, evidenced by recent events that saw attacks on state institutions and media outlets. The parliamentarians recalled the violent protests of May 9, 2023, which was labeled a dark chapter in Pakistan's history.

"Over the last decade, he [Imran] has instigated mobs to attack Parliament, State Television Building and Radio Pakistan apart from a widespread rampage and vandalism on May 9, 2023 which remains the darkest day of our history," the letter read.

Furthermore, they criticised Imran's alleged misuse of social media as a tool for "digital terrorism", claiming it stirs unrest and poses a threat to state stability. They pointed out that "dissident elements residing in US and UK" have played a significant role in amplifying the disinformation campaigns.

Regarding the general elections held in February 2024, the MPs asserted that the process has been internationally recognized as free and fair. They accused PTI of maligning any electoral process that does not favor them, referencing similar claims made by the party following elections in 2008 and 2013. "Views of Congress members on conduct of Pakistan's General Elections held in February 2024," they said, "are equally misinformed and one-sided."

The coalition dismissed claims that Imran is a champion of democracy, citing his controversial comments about the Taliban and his alleged contempt for parliamentary norms. They expressed astonishment at the US lawmakers' support for a figure with a questionable personal history, including ongoing legal issues in the U.S. and corruption charges in Pakistan.

"We are indeed flabbergasted to witness the blind support of US Congress members for a person who has been found to disavow paternity of his daughter by a Court in Los Angeles, California," they stated, adding, "He remains a fugitive of the same court till to date."

The parliamentarians cautioned that commentary on ongoing judicial cases could adversely influence Pakistan's legal processes, emphasizing the importance of non-interference in matters under judicial review. "Needless to mention," the letter reads, "Oxford University dropped his candidacy due to his criminal record."

While referring to upcoming US elections, the MPs maintained that political parties lobby support from all constituencies however, "such unfounded comments about politics in Pakistan" are presumed to be sanctioned by US government on one hand and are construed as "blatant political interference on the other". Therefore, they added, dragging other countries into domestic electoral fray for satisfying a small segment of electorate is "ill-advised".

Amid heightened political activity in the US, driven by an approaching election cycle, the Pakistani lawmakers underscored the need for responsible dialogue that does not involve foreign interference in domestic affairs. They recalled past tensions in US-Pakistan relations that stemmed from similar issues and urged the US Congress to be mindful of the consequences of their statements.

The letter concluded with a call for the Pakistani government to enhance diplomatic engagement with US lawmakers. The coalition stressed the need to present a balanced perspective on Pakistan's political landscape and to counteract unsubstantiated claims against its government and institutions.

As US lawmakers continue to voice their concerns about Pakistan, the coalition of parliamentarians hopes that increased diplomatic efforts will help clarify the realities of Pakistan's democracy and reinforce the importance of respecting its sovereignty.