Pakistan Polls 2024: US to work with new govt regardless of political party, says State Dept

Amidst allegations of vote rigging in the general elections held in Pakistan on Thursday, a State Department spokesperson said on Friday that the US is looking forward to timely, complete results that reflect the will of the people of the country.

“Millions of Pakistanis made their voices heard at the polls on February 8. We will work with the Pakistani government, regardless of political party, to advance our shared interests and strive to bolster democratic institutions and broaden political participation,” State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller wrote on X.

Millions of Pakistanis made their voices heard at the polls on February 8. We will work with the Pakistani government, regardless of political party, to advance our shared interests and strive to bolster democratic institutions and broaden political participation.

— Matthew Miller (@StateDeptSpox) February 9, 2024

As per the latest data from the Election Commission of Pakistan, outcomes from 224 out of 265 constituencies have been announced. Independent candidates, largely backed by imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, secured 92 seats, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz garnered 63 and the Pakistan Peoples Party obtained 50. Smaller parties clinched 19 seats in total.

“We now look forward to timely, complete results that reflect the will of the Pakistani people,” Miller said in a statement.

“The US is prepared to work with the next Pakistani government, regardless of political party, to advance our shared interests,” he said, adding that the US looks forward to bolstering its partnership by supporting Pakistan’s economy through trade and investment.
Millions of Pakistanis, he said, made their voices heard by voting in the elections on February 8.

“We commend Pakistani poll workers, civil society, journalists and election observers for their work to protect and uphold Pakistan’s democratic and electoral institutions. We now look forward to timely, complete results that reflect the will of the Pakistani people,” Miller said.

The US joins credible international and local election observers in their assessment that these elections included undue restrictions on freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, he said.

The US condemns electoral violence, restrictions on the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including attacks on media workers, and restrictions on access to the Internet and telecommunication services, he said and expressed concern about allegations of interference in the electoral process.

“Claims of interference or fraud should be fully investigated,” Miller said.

The United States, he said, will continue to support Pakistan in strengthening its democratic institutions, engage through the US-Pakistan Green Alliance Framework, broaden people-to-people ties, and promote human rights including freedom of expression.

“We are also committed to strengthening our security cooperation and creating an environment of safety and security that affords the Pakistani people the peace, democracy, and progress they deserve,” Miller said.

Meanwhile, amid reports of rigging in Pakistan general elections conducted on February 8, the European Union has “regretted” the lack of a “level playing field” for leaders of all political parties referring to restrictions on former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI).

As official results from Pakistan general elections showed independents backed by Imran Khan taking the lead, however, three-time former leader Nawaz Sharif has claimed his party emerging as leading the mandate.

With inputs from agencies.