A majority of the US House of Representatives ‘ votes support democracy and human rights in Pakistan, urging an independent investigation into allegations of abnormalities in the nation’s February 8 general elections. Pakistan’s general votes were hampered by a state-wide wireless internet stoppage on election day, violent demonstrations in the lead-up, and exceedingly delayed results. These problems led to a lot of complaints that the voting was manipulated.
The overwhelming support, according to lawmakers who support solution HR 901, titled” Expressing support for democracy and human rights in Pakistan,” highlighted the United States ‘ commitment to upholding political values globally.
In order to support democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, the solution, which was passed on Tuesday by a convincing 368- 7 vote, urged US President Joe Biden to work with Pakistan.
In its call for a rigorous and impartial research into any allegations of disturbance or abnormalities in Pakistan’s 2024 votes, it stressed the value of free and fair elections.
Decades after the general elections were up for debate as being rigged, the resolution stressed the need for Muslim public involvement in the political process.
Pakistan Tehreek e-Insaf ( PTI), which was imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan, is one of the groups who oppose the election results, citing significant obstacles that prevented them from running as independents without the iconic bat symbol as a result of a legal dispute with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Following the elections, Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz ( PML- N ) and Bilawal Bhutto- led Pakistan Peoples Party ( PPP ) formed a coalition government, leaving PTI and other parties in opposition.
The resolution calls for a “full and independent research of allegations of intervention or irregularities in Pakistan’s February 2024 poll.”
It also condemns “attempts to control the people of Pakistan’s involvement in their politics, including through intimidation, harassment, violence, arbitrary detention, restrictions on access to the Internet and telecommunications, or any violation of their people, civil, or social rights”.
It also denounces “any work to subvert the social, political, or administrative procedures of Pakistan”.
Congressman Rich McCormick, a Georgia Republican, sponsored the solution. Congressman Daniel Kildee, a Democrat from Michigan, i- sponsored it. The initial quality was introduced in the House on November 30, 2023, and it was later modified, according to the Dawn paper, on June 18.
Meanwhile, Pakistan on Wednesday criticized Resolution 901, calling it neither constructive nor objective because it allegedly did n’t understand the country’s political situation and electoral process.
Foreign Office spokesman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch confirmed that Pakistan had taken note of the resolution’s section in response to advertising questions.
According to The Express Tribune paper, Baloch was quoted as saying,” We believe that the scheduling and context of this particular resolution do not fit well with the good dynamics of our bilateral ties. We believe that this particular resolution is the result of an inadequate understanding of the political situation and political process in Pakistan.”
She emphasised that Pakistan, as the world’s following- largest political democracy and five- largest democracy general, remains committed to constitutionalism, individual rights, and the rule of law in line with its national interests.
Baloch emphasized the value of open and honest speech based on reciprocal understanding and respect.
So,” These resolutions are neither constructive nor achievement.” We hope that the US Congress will support efforts to strengthen Pakistan-US relationships and concentrate on ways to collaborate more effectively with both our people and nations,” she continued.
