On Wednesday, June 26, the US House of Representatives passed a resolution endorsing democracy and human rights in Pakistan, with backing from both Democrats and Republicans.
It also demands a thorough inquiry into any allegations of irregularities with the country’s February elections, conducted impartially.
The general elections in Pakistan, which took place on February 8, were marred by violence, arrests, and strangely delayed results. The entire country’s internet was shut down. These problems gave rise to allegations of polling process manipulation.
By a resounding vote of 368 to 7, the resolution was passed on Tuesday and demanded that US President Joe Biden work with Pakistan to protect democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
The strong bipartisan vote on the resolution “Expressing Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Pakistan” was cited by lawmakers who supported it as proof of the US’s steadfast commitment to advancing democratic values around the world.
The resolution condemned “any effort to subvert the political, electoral, or judicial processes of Pakistan” and emphasized the importance of Pakistani citizens participating in the democratic process.
The resolution also denounces any attempt to prevent the Pakistani people from participating in democracy, including any form of arbitrary detention, harassment, intimidation, violence, or restriction of their internet or telecommunications access, as well as any violation of their fundamental civil, political, and human rights.
The leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, who is incarcerated at the moment, and the PTI are also against the election results. PTI was obliged to field independent candidates devoid of their recognizable bat emblem due to a legal dispute with Pakistan’s Election Commission.
Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s Pakistan People’s Party established a coalition government, putting PTI and other parties in opposition, despite the fact that the PTI-backed independents won the most seats.
Although the US House resolution was acknowledged, Pakistan’s foreign ministry voiced concerns that it appeared to misrepresent the political climate and recent elections in the nation.