US: A group of US lawmakers urged President Joe Biden to wait for a thorough, transparent and credible investigation before recognizing Islamabad’s new government, given the strong evidence of election rigging in Pakistan.
A group of influential US lawmakers wrote a letter to President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday. In the letter, the MPs urged them not to recognize the new government of Pakistan until the election rigging is investigated in a credible and transparent manner. Muslim MPs of the ruling Democrats are also included among those who wrote the letter.
Hung results of general elections
General elections were held in Pakistan on February 8. After which hung results were revealed. No party was able to cross the majority mark. In the elections for the 266-member National Assembly, more than 90 seats were won by independent candidates supported by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). While Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had won 75 seats and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had won 54 seats. Whereas, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) won 17 seats.
‘Don’t give recognition to the new government even after investigation’
In the letter, the MPs expressed concern over the rigging in Pakistan’s recent parliamentary elections. In this he requested the US government to withhold recognition of the new government in Pakistan until a completely transparent and credible investigation into election rigging is conducted. The letter further said, “Islamabad has been a long-standing ally of the US. It is in the US’s interest to ensure that democracy flourishes in Pakistan. The election results reflect the interests of the Pakistani people, not Pakistan.” interests of the elite class or the military.”
Agreement between PML-N and PPP
After the hung election results, former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif’s party PML-N and former Foreign Minister’s party PPP have entered into an agreement with four other parties to form a coalition government. Due to which, in a way, the possibility of former Prime Minister Imran Khan returning to power in jail may be put to rest. To form the government, any party will have to win 133 out of 265 seats in the 266-member National Assembly. At the same time, PTI rejected the efforts of PML-N and PPP to form a coalition government and warned that theft of mandate will lead to the worst political instability in the country.
Demand for release of political prisoners
The group of US lawmakers said, given the strong evidence of rigging in Pakistan’s election, we urge you to wait for a thorough, transparent and credible investigation before recognizing Islamabad’s new government. Without taking these necessary steps, you cannot stop the anti-democratic behavior of Pakistani authorities and weaken the democratic will of the Pakistani people. This includes calling on Pakistani authorities to release people arrested for engaging in political speech or activities. Has also been demanded.
