A senior official from the United States Department of State has expressed concerns regarding “electoral abuse and violence” preceding Pakistan’s recent general election. Donald Lu, the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, highlighted these issues during a subcommittee hearing of the US House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs. Lu mentioned irregularities in the February 8 elections, such as attacks on police and politicians by terrorist groups, harassment of journalists (particularly female journalists) by political supporters, and challenges faced by certain political leaders in registering candidates and parties. Additionally, election monitors reported being barred from observing vote tabulation in many constituencies.
The US administration received a letter from 30 US Congressmen urging President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken not to recognize Pakistan’s new government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. During the hearing, a US lawmaker inquired about the State Department’s investigation into the election, to which Lu confirmed affirmative and mentioned ongoing actions to address irregularities.
There were also questions raised about alleged US involvement in suggesting the removal of former Prime Minister Imran Khan to improve US-Pakistan ties, which Lu vehemently denied, terming it a “conspiracy theory.” This controversy stemmed from Khan’s claims about a foreign nation conspiring with his political rivals, including alleged involvement of US lawmaker Donald Lu, although the US has consistently refuted any involvement in Khan’s ouster through a parliamentary vote of no confidence in April 2022.
