WASHINGTON: The US State Department emphasised on Wednesday that violence at election rallies undermines the electoral process in Pakistan.

Strongly condemning Tuesday’s bomb explosion at a PTI rally in Sibi that killed 10 people, the State Department said that incidents like this “undermine the electoral process”.

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The department asserted: “The Pakistani people have the right to choose their leader without fear for the country’s stability and prosperity.”

The statement also offered Washing­ton’s “deepest sympathies” to those affected.

Condemns blast at PTI rally, says people have right to choose their leader without fear

Another State Department spokesperson, while responding to Dawn’s query, said that questions about judicial decisions should be addressed to Pakistani courts. But the US official assured the Pakistani people that Washington would continue to support the democratic process in Pakistan.

“We want to see the process unfold in a way that allows broad participation for all parties and respects democratic principles,” the official stated. “We don’t take a position aside from supporting the Pakistani people’s right to choose their government.”

During a Tuesday afternoon briefing in Washington, spokesperson Matthew Miller clarified that while Washing­ton regarded judicial institutions in some countries as kangaroo courts, it “does not include the Pakistani judicial system among those”.

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He responded to several questions about US foreign policy towards Pakistan, particularly in light of the recent conviction of Imran Khan and other members of his team. In doing so, Miller also emphasised the US commitment to promoting stability in the region, advancing democracy, and strengthening economic ties with Pakistan.

When pressed about concerns raised in a human rights report citing a lack of government accountability and abuses, Miller acknowledged areas for improvement in Pakistan, but clarified that their assessment did not specifically address the recent legal proceedings against Imran Khan.

In comparison to the situation in Venezuela, where the US has criticised the Maduro regime for undermining democracy, Miller noted that each case was unique. The US has not yet made a conclusive determination on the Pakistani legal process but highlighted ongoing assessments.

Miller refrained from commenting on the perception of the Biden administration’s foreign policy in the eyes of the Pakistani people, emphasising the continued pursuit of policies aimed at enhancing regional stability, democracy and economic prosperity.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2024