UN chief hails Pakistan elections

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres congratulated Pakistan on Wednesday’s general elections which saw Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) emerge as the dominant force on the country’s political landscape with majority of seats in the National Assembly.

“The Secretary-General congratulates the people of Pakistan on the 25 July general election,” the Secretary-General’s Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

“By exercising their constitutional right to vote, the people of Pakistan have reaffirmed their commitment to a democratic Pakistan,” the statement said.

“The Secretary-General commends the Electoral Commission of Pakistan for the organization of the elections, noting positive initiatives related to training and efforts to enhance the inclusion of women, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups, as well as first-time voters, in the electoral process,” it said.

“The United Nations is committed to continue to support the Electoral Commission.

“The Secretary-General looks forward to the formation of the new government and wishes it success in providing the people of Pakistan a stable, democratic, and prosperous future,” the statement added.