The Foreign Affairs Committee of the US House of Representatives has taken a significant step towards promoting democracy and human rights in Pakistan by unanimously passing a resolution aimed at addressing concerns over electoral integrity.
Introduced on September 30, 2023, the resolution emphasizes the importance of transparent elections, upholding human rights, and adherence to the rule of law in Pakistan's electoral process. It garnered widespread support, with 50 votes in favor and none against, during the committee's session.
Key demands outlined in the resolution include the need for transparent elections that align with the aspirations of the Pakistani people. Additionally, it urges US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to engage in enhanced dialogue and cooperation with Pakistani authorities to address electoral concerns and uphold democratic values.
The decision to pass the resolution follows a recent hearing on post-election democracy in Pakistan, held on March 20. During the hearing, US Assistant Secretary of State on Central and South Asia, Donald Lu, stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing claims of irregularities in Pakistan's recent general elections.
Lu, who addressed the public for the first time in two years, refuted allegations of US involvement in the removal of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in April 2022.
Despite the resolution's passage, there has been no official response from Pakistan. However, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch expressed Pakistan's willingness to engage in dialogue with the United States to address any misunderstandings related to the elections during a weekly briefing in Islamabad.