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Thursday, November 07, 2024  
05 Jumada Al-Awwal 1446  

State Dept explains why US ambassador met Pakistan election commissioner

Says US does not support any party or candidate
File photo.
File photo.

The United States State Department has said that it does not support any particular political party in Pakistan and has no position on how election results turn out.

The clarification came in response to a question about the meetings US Ambassador Donald Blome has held in Pakistan, especially with the chief election commissioner of the country.

In a press briefing on Monday, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said that he had no specific details about Ambassador Donald Blome’s meeting with Chief Election Commissioner. However, he added that the US embassy in Pakistan could be asked for details, which they would be ‘happy’ to provide.

“But I think I see where you’re going with the question, and so I will reiterate what I’ve said a number of times, which is that the United States does not take any position with respect to the outcome of an election in Pakistan,” he said in response to a question about the meeting.

He added that the US does not support any political party or candidate in Pakistan and urges ‘free and fair’ elections across the world.

Miller was also asked about the dollar rate being ‘four times stronger’ in Afghanistan compared to Pakistan. In response, he only commented about support for economic reforms in Pakistan.

“I’ve spoken to this on a number of occasions about our support for reforms that would allow the improvement of the economy in Pakistan, and will continue to do so,” he said.

US Ambassador Donald Blome met the chief election commissioner on August 24, hours before the Election Commission held a key meeting regarding general elections in the country.