Meaningful Participation
The Chair of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md), expressed regret over the recent general elections in Pakistan, citing the denial of meaningful participation for all political parties and candidates. In a statement issued on Saturday, Senator Cardin acknowledged the electoral process in Pakistan but highlighted that it was overshadowed by actions preventing the inclusive engagement of all political entities.
He strongly condemned the deadly bombings at election campaign offices in Balochistan, extending condolences to the victims and their families. Emphasizing the need for investigations and accountability for the perpetrators, Senator Cardin called for addressing challenges related to democracy and human rights in Pakistan.
He pledged to engage with Pakistan’s leaders as they form a new government, focusing on issues impacting the Pakistani people, including climate change and sustainable energy. The preceding day, Western capitals raised concerns about “undue restrictions” during the February 8 elections, questioning the fairness and expressing worry over allegations of vote rigging.
The United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union called for timely and thorough investigations into reported irregularities, while expressing a commitment to working with the incoming government.
In response to international criticism, the Pakistani Foreign Office expressed surprise at the negative tone of some statements, noting that they did not consider the complexity of the electoral process and disregarded the peaceful and successful conduct of the elections amid security threats.
The Foreign Office asserted that the statements overlooked the free and enthusiastic exercise of the right to vote by millions of Pakistanis, highlighting the challenges posed by foreign-sponsored terrorism during the electoral process.
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