Amid increasing calls for an investigation into poll-related irregularities in Pakistan’s February 8 elections, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged Pakistani authorities and political leaders to address these issues through established legal procedures and to avoid actions that escalate tensions. The election faced allegations of rigging and irregularities, leading to delayed results and the suspension of mobile services on polling day.
Various political parties, particularly Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have been staging sporadic protests across the country, alleging rigging in favor of opposing candidates. Independent candidates aligned with Imran Khan-led PTI are currently leading with 92 seats, followed by PML-N (79) and PPP (53).
In a statement, UN Secretary-General Guterres called for a “calm atmosphere” in Pakistan and emphasized the resolution of issues through established legal frameworks. The UN chief urged authorities and political leaders to maintain calm, reject violence, and avoid actions that could exacerbate tensions.
The United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have also called for a thorough investigation into claims of election fraud. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized the need for Pakistan’s legal system to investigate allegations of interference and fraud.
Responding to these calls, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar rejected the notion that Pakistan would investigate alleged rigging under external pressure. During a press conference, Kakar asserted Pakistan’s sovereignty, stating that the country would not bow to pressure and would handle any allegations according to its laws. He compared the situation to other countries making assumptions based on fractured information on social media and emphasized that Pakistan is capable of addressing any allegations internally.
