The U.S. State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, has urged Pakistan’s newly sworn government to investigate the allegations of poll rigging and challenges faced by opposition parties.
Highlighting that the US will work with the newly elected government led by Shehbaz Sharif, Miller said, ‘There was a competitive election in Pakistan. Millions and millions of people made their voices heard. A new government has been formed, and we will, of course, work with that government. At the same time, there were reported irregularities. There have been challenges brought by political parties to the results, and we want to see those challenges and those irregularities fully investigated.’
Miller also condemns the partial or complete government-imposed shutdowns of internet platforms in the country. Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Shehbaz Sharif was elected as the Prime Minister of Pakistan on 4th March after he secured 201 votes in the National Assembly, defeating his rival Omar Ayub Khan, who was backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The government formation in Pakistan took place after PML-N held talks with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and other parties, including MQM-P, PML-Q, BAP, PML-Z, IPP.
PTI has on multiple occasions alleged that the elections were rigged. A senior bureaucrat too had accepted that he facilitated the ruling coalition in rigging the ballots.
