The US administration has voiced apprehensions regarding violence and limitations on freedom in Pakistan ahead of the upcoming general elections.
Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department, Vedant Patel, expressed these concerns during a press briefing on Monday, highlighting incidents of violence, media restrictions, curbs on freedom of expression, including internet freedom, and constraints on peaceful assembly and association.
As Pakistan prepares for the general elections scheduled for February 8, some journalists and experts have raised worries about political developments and violence in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
With more than 128 million people set to cast their votes, this marks the fourth democratic election in the South Asian country since the end of General (retd) Musharraf’s martial law era.
In response to a query on the fairness of the electoral process, given the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Supreme Court’s recent decision to strip the PTI of its bat symbol, Patel emphasized the close monitoring of Pakistan’s electoral process.
The US desires to see a process that encourages broad participation and upholds freedom of expression, assembly, and association.
Earlier this month, the US embassy in Pakistan cautioned American nationals to remain vigilant during the general elections, citing potential disruptions in internet and cellular services.
Patel acknowledged concerns about infringements in this space and reiterated that the people of Pakistan have the right to vote without fear, violence, or intimidation.
He emphasized that Pakistanis deserve to exercise their fundamental right to choose their future leaders through free and fair elections, asserting that it is ultimately the decision of the people of Pakistan to determine their political future.
