The electoral process in Pakistan was an internal sovereign affair and the nation was committed to upholding its constitutional obligations, Radio Pakistan quoted the Foreign Office spokesperson as saying.

She was responding to the queries of media persons at her weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday about the reaction of different countries to the general elections.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch highlighted the significant participation of millions of voters, including unprecedented numbers of women and young voters in the general elections.

In the recent past, Western countries have expressed concerns over the claims of fraud and interference in elections.

Pakistan welcomed foreign observers, including a group from the Commonwealth, she said and added that it demonstrated the country’s commitment to transparency in the electoral process.

“Pakistan takes its constitutional obligations seriously. It is the right of Pakistanis to enjoy freedom and democracy. Any step that Pakistan takes in this regard conforms with its constitutional obligations and not influenced by external advice.”

She pointed out that the interim report of the Commonwealth observer group also highlighted the transparency and participatory nature of the general elections.

When asked about relationship with India, the spokesperson said both the countries have had a difficult relationship over the last several decades.

She said Pakistan has always expressed a desire to have peaceful relations with all neighbours including India. But she regretted that India has an approach of “belligerence” towards Pakistan and the region.

This, she said, creates a “negative environment” for peace and dialogue and makes it difficult to have a normal relationship.

The spokesperson said Pakistan endorsed the statement of OIC strongly condemning the ongoing Israeli military aggression against Gaza and the expansion of indiscriminate attacks on the Rafah city.