WASHINGTON: A US diplomat urged Pakistan on Wednesday to research reported irregularities with final month’s common election and re-run the vote in affected constituencies if it discovered credible proof of interference.
“The Election Fee of Pakistan, ought to it discover that these irregularities are substantiated, ought to re-run elections (in constituencies) the place there was interference,” Donald Lu, the State Division’s high official for South and Central Asia, advised a congressional panel.
Pakistan’s election was marred by arrests and violence forward of the early-February vote, an web shutdown on election day and unusually delayed outcomes resulting in accusations that the vote was rigged. Shehbaz Sharif turned prime minister on March 4, heading a coalition that obtained fewer votes than candidates backed by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
“We have now by no means used the time period ‘free and honest’ within the characterization of this election,” Lu testified to a subcommittee of the Home of Representatives International Affairs Committee inspecting Pakistan’s democracy and its relations with the U.S.
“We have now expressed critical considerations in regards to the pre-election atmosphere: violence that occurred – terrorism and political violence,” he mentioned. “We have now expressed concern in regards to the failure to register particular person candidates and political events, the mass arrests of these in opposition, the shutdown of web, and censorship and strain positioned on journalists.”
Britain and the European Union have additionally expressed concern about reported irregularities and urged a probe. United Nations Secretary-Common Antonio Guterres expressed concern about violence and the suspension of cellular communications providers.
Responding to questions, Lu denied allegations by Khan that he had interfered in Khan’s 2022 elimination from energy
“These allegations, this conspiracy idea, is a lie. It’s a full falsehood,” Lu mentioned, as some members of the viewers shouted protests at his denial. Lu mentioned he had confronted threats over the allegations.
Khan was ousted after falling out with Pakistan’s highly effective navy, which denies meddling in politics. He alleged the U.S. and Pakistan’s navy performed a job in his ouster by a parliamentary no-confidence vote.
A number of authorized instances had been introduced towards Khan after he was ousted, which disqualified him as a candidate in February’s election and sentenced him to lengthy jail phrases. He denies wrongdoing and stays in jail.
“The Election Fee of Pakistan, ought to it discover that these irregularities are substantiated, ought to re-run elections (in constituencies) the place there was interference,” Donald Lu, the State Division’s high official for South and Central Asia, advised a congressional panel.
Pakistan’s election was marred by arrests and violence forward of the early-February vote, an web shutdown on election day and unusually delayed outcomes resulting in accusations that the vote was rigged. Shehbaz Sharif turned prime minister on March 4, heading a coalition that obtained fewer votes than candidates backed by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
“We have now by no means used the time period ‘free and honest’ within the characterization of this election,” Lu testified to a subcommittee of the Home of Representatives International Affairs Committee inspecting Pakistan’s democracy and its relations with the U.S.
“We have now expressed critical considerations in regards to the pre-election atmosphere: violence that occurred – terrorism and political violence,” he mentioned. “We have now expressed concern in regards to the failure to register particular person candidates and political events, the mass arrests of these in opposition, the shutdown of web, and censorship and strain positioned on journalists.”
Britain and the European Union have additionally expressed concern about reported irregularities and urged a probe. United Nations Secretary-Common Antonio Guterres expressed concern about violence and the suspension of cellular communications providers.
Responding to questions, Lu denied allegations by Khan that he had interfered in Khan’s 2022 elimination from energy
“These allegations, this conspiracy idea, is a lie. It’s a full falsehood,” Lu mentioned, as some members of the viewers shouted protests at his denial. Lu mentioned he had confronted threats over the allegations.
Khan was ousted after falling out with Pakistan’s highly effective navy, which denies meddling in politics. He alleged the U.S. and Pakistan’s navy performed a job in his ouster by a parliamentary no-confidence vote.
A number of authorized instances had been introduced towards Khan after he was ousted, which disqualified him as a candidate in February’s election and sentenced him to lengthy jail phrases. He denies wrongdoing and stays in jail.
