Islamabad: In a direct response to a recent US resolution urging an investigation into Pakistan’s general elections, the National Assembly of Pakistan adopted its own resolution on Friday, rebuffing the US Congressional initiative amidst objections from lawmakers affiliated with imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, who allege electoral misconduct during the February 8th vote.
Introduced by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Shaista Pervaiz Malik, the resolution labeled the US resolution as “contrary to facts” and condemned it as an unwarranted “interference” in Pakistan’s internal affairs.
Malik asserted during a televised speech that the US resolution passed on Wednesday was “completely baseless”. She emphasized Pakistan’s stance against external interference in its sovereign matters.
The latest development emerged just after Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry had dismissed the US congressional resolution, causing a stir within Pakistani authorities.
Additionally, Islamabad announced its decision to appoint a new ambassador to the US, replacing Masood Khan with diplomat Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, a move previously under consideration.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baluch expressed Pakistan’s regret over the US House of Representatives’ resolution, criticizing it for its misconceptions about Pakistan’s political and electoral processes and deeming it an unwanted intrusion into Pakistan’s internal affairs.
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While Pakistan’s leadership voiced displeasure over the US resolution, Imran Khan’s party welcomed it, alleging electoral manipulation by Pakistan’s Election Commission, which turned their electoral victory into defeat.
The bipartisan US House resolution, titled HR 901, passed with overwhelming support, calling for a “thorough and independent investigation” into alleged electoral interference in Pakistan’s 2024 elections, and urging President Joe Biden to collaborate with Pakistan in promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who assumed office after Khan’s removal in a 2022 no-confidence vote, has repeatedly sought dialogue with Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, despite their claims of electoral fraud.
