US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu has highlighted the irregularities during the Pakistan elections held on Feb 8 in written testimony ahead of his appearance at a Congressional panel today for a hearing on Pakistan.
In a written statement, Donald Lu expressed Washington’s concerns about irregularities in the Feb 8 polls while also emphasizing the need to stay engaged with Pakistan to strengthen its democratic institutions.
The US House Committee on Foreign Affairs has announced a hearing titled ‘Pakistan After the Elections: Examining the Future of Democracy in Pakistan and the US-Pakistan Relationship,’ where Assistant Secretary Donald Lu will testify before the subcommittee.
In his written testimony, Lu said that the State Department released a clear statement the day after Pakistan’s general elections last month, highlighting disproportionate restrictions on freedoms of expression, electoral violence, interference, and attacks on journalists.
Donald also mentions that several political leaders faced obstacles, such as the inability to register specific candidates and political parties, which disadvantaged them in the electoral process. Additionally, he highlights the harassment and abuse faced by many journalists, particularly female journalists, at the hands of party supporters.
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In a statement released to the House subcommittee’s website, Donald Lu said, “We were particularly concerned about electoral abuses and violence that happened in the weeks leading up to the elections. First, there were attacks against police, politicians, and political gatherings by terrorist groups. Second, many journalists, particularly female journalists, were harassed and abused by party supporters. And several political leaders were disadvantaged by the inability to register specific candidates and political parties.”
“And despite a high court instruction not to interrupt the internet service on election day, authorities shut down mobile data services, the principal means by which Pakistanis access social media and messaging applications,” he said. However, he also acknowledges positive aspects, such as a significant turnout of over 60 million voters, including more than 21 million women, and a record number of women and minority candidates.
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His message highlights the significance of strengthening Pakistan’s democratic institutions and promoting economic stability through development funds, private-sector investment, and humanitarian relief. He also acknowledges Pakistan’s rising debt problems and emphasizes the importance of economic reforms and private-sector-led investments to stimulate economic growth.
In his written testimony, Mr Lu emphasizes the importance of counterterrorism collaboration with Pakistan while also advocating for the protection of human rights and religious freedom. Furthermore, he pledges to work with the subcommittee to implement US policy in Pakistan and achieve a vision of a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous society.
Lu, the famed diplomat who was accused by Imran Khan that he sent cipher to former Pakistan Ambassador to the US, Asad Majeed. The former PM claimed that the cipher document had a US plan to overthrow his government in 2022. Mr Khan is currently on trial for misusing the classified document.