In a recent development, U.S. diplomat Donald Lu has urged Pakistan to investigate reported irregularities in last month’s general election. Speaking before a congressional panel, Lu emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough investigation and potentially re-running the vote in constituencies where credible evidence of interference is found.
The election, which took place in early February, was marred by arrests, violence, an internet shutdown on election day, and delayed results, leading to accusations of rigging. Shehbaz Sharif became prime minister on March 4, leading a coalition after his party won fewer seats than candidates backed by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
“We have never used the term ‘free and fair’ in the characterization of this election,” Lu testified before the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee subcommittee. “We have expressed serious concerns about the pre-election environment: violence, terrorism, political violence, failure to register individual candidates and political parties, mass arrests of those in opposition, shutdown of internet, censorship, and pressure placed on journalists.”
Lu’s remarks come in the wake of similar expressions of concern from Britain, the European Union, and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres about reported irregularities and violence during the election. Lu also denied allegations by Khan that he had interfered in Khan’s 2022 removal from power, calling the allegations a “complete falsehood.”
Khan was ousted after a falling out with Pakistan’s military, which denies meddling in politics. He alleged that the U.S. and Pakistan’s military played a role in his ouster through a parliamentary no-confidence vote.
