The US State Department has expressed its condemnation of the electoral violence, internet and telecommunication shutdowns, and allegations of interference in Pakistan’s general elections held on February 8, 2024. The department also urged the authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the claims of fraud and irregularities.
According to the preliminary results, the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party led by Prime Minister Imran Khan secured a majority of seats in the National Assembly, followed by the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
The US State Department spokesperson said in a statement that the US supports the democratic process and the right of the people of Pakistan to choose their leaders. The spokesperson also expressed concern over the reports of violence and intimidation that marred the polling day, resulting in at least 15 deaths and dozens of injuries. The spokesperson added that the restrictions on access to the internet and telecommunication services imposed by the government were unacceptable and violated the freedom of expression and information.
The US State Department called on all parties to respect the electoral process and the rule of law, and to refrain from violence and incitement. The spokesperson also urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to address the complaints and allegations of interference in a fair and impartial manner, and to ensure the credibility and transparency of the electoral outcome.
The US State Department reaffirmed its commitment to the long-term partnership with Pakistan, and said that it looked forward to working with the new government on shared interests and challenges.