The United States administration has expressed concerns over violence and restrictions on freedom in Pakistan ahead of general elections.
“We have concerns of the – all incidents of violence and restrictions on media freedom; freedom of expression, including internet freedom; and peaceful and – peaceful assembly and association,” US State Department Principal Deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said at a press briefing on Monday.
Pakistan is set to hold general elections on February 8, with some journalists and experts expressing concerns over political affairs and violence in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
More than 128 million people would cast their ballots on Thursday. It would be the fourth time the South Asian country would vote for a democratic government after the end of former president General (retd) Musharraf’s martial law era.
A reporter had sought the US comment on the fairness of the electoral process as former prime minister Imran Khan was behind bars and not allowed to contest elections. In the recent past, the Supreme Court stripped the PTI of its bat symbol.
“We’re continuing to monitor Pakistan’s electoral process quite closely, and as we have said, we want to see that process take place in a way that facilitates broad participation with respect for freedom of expression, assembly, and associations,” Patel said.
Earlier this month, the US embassy in Pakistan urged American nationals in the country to remain vigilant during the general elections.
The statement added that internet and cellular service disruptions could occur leading up to and throughout election day and immediately following. Netblocks, an independent observer, last month reported that there was “national-scale” disruption to platforms including YouTube, Instagram, X and Facebook when the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was holding its second virtual gathering.
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“We’re concerned by some of the infringements that we’ve seen in that space,” Patel said and added that the people of Pakistan deserved the right to exercise their right to vote.
“Pakistanis deserve to exercise their fundamental right to choose their future leaders through free and fair elections without fear, violence, or intimidation, and it is ultimately for the people of Pakistan to decide their political future.”
