Pakistan has accused the United States of meddling in its internal affairs just hours after the US House of Representatives approved a resolution on Wednesday that raised concerns about the credibility of Pakistan’s general election in February.
The resolution called for a “full and independent” investigation into alleged irregularities in Pakistan’s election, which was claimed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to have been manipulated to deny them a victory.
Pakistan’s response to the resolution emphasized the underlying issues in its relationship with the US, but analysts believe it is unlikely to disrupt recent efforts to stabilize ties.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Pakistan believes in “constructive dialogue” and engagement but considers the resolution to be “neither constructive nor objective.”
Defense Minister Khwaja Asif criticized the resolution, emphasizing that the US has no right to interfere in Pakistan’s internal matters. He also urged the US to ensure transparency in its own forthcoming elections.
The resolution, titled “Expressing Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Pakistan,” was initially introduced in November last year and was tabled in Congress on June 25. It urges the Pakistani government to uphold democratic and electoral institutions and condemns any attempts to violate the rights of the Pakistani people.
The resolution passed with overwhelming support from 368 members of Congress, with seven votes against it. PTI welcomed the passage of the resolution, with former President Arif Alvi calling it a step in the “right direction.”
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However, foreign policy experts believe that the US resolution is unlikely to pressure the Pakistani government significantly and is seen as a matter of “domestic US politics.”
Although the resolution reflects congressional opinion and concerns about the situation in Pakistan, it is not expected to strain relations between the US and Pakistan. Many do not believe it will become a point of contention in improving relations between the two nations.
Despite the tensions arising from the resolution and recent accusations made by Pakistani officials, the primary issues in the Pakistan-U.S. relationship continue to revolve around economics and security. However, the mishandling of legitimate grievances from the PTI could pose both domestic and international challenges for Pakistan’s government and influential military.
