Pakistan Rejects US Resolution on Election Probe, Calls for Relations Based on ‘Non-Interference’

ISLAMABAD: On Friday, Pakistan expressed strong disapproval of a recent resolution adopted by the United States House of Representatives, which demanded an impartial investigation into the alleged rigging of the February 8 elections. The Pakistani government labeled the resolution as "unsolicited," emphasizing its desire for a relationship with the US grounded in "mutual trust and non-interference."

 

The resolution, which received overwhelming support from US lawmakers, raised concerns about the state of democracy in Pakistan and advocated for the freedom of the media and speech. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar addressed the National Assembly on Thursday, asserting that Pakistan must demonstrate unity and assert its sovereignty. He also announced plans to introduce a reciprocal resolution in the near future.

 

During the weekly news briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch articulated Pakistan's regret over the resolution, criticizing it for showing a limited understanding of the country's political and electoral processes. "We believe that bilateral relations between countries should be based on mutual respect and sovereign equality," Baloch stated. "The unsolicited interference from the US Congress is therefore neither welcome nor accepted."

 

Baloch further emphasized Pakistan's aspiration to cultivate its relations with the United States on the foundation of mutual trust, confidence, and non-interference in each other's domestic affairs. "We also hope that the US Congress would play a more constructive role in strengthening Pakistan-US bilateral relations by focusing on avenues of collaboration for the mutual benefit of both nations," she added.

 

In the aftermath of the US lawmakers' adoption of the resolution, Pakistan's foreign office released a statement highlighting the inconsistency between the resolution's timing and context and the improving dynamics of bilateral ties between the two countries. "Such resolutions are therefore neither constructive nor objective," the statement noted.

 

The US House of Representatives voted 368-7 in favor of the resolution, which condemned "attempts to suppress the people of Pakistan's participation in their democracy" and called on the Pakistani government to uphold the human, civil, and political rights of its citizens.

 

This development underscores the ongoing complexities in Pakistan-US relations, with Islamabad advocating for a more balanced and respectful approach to bilateral engagement, free from what it perceives as external interference in its domestic matters.