US reaffirms support for ‘free and fair’ elections in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: United States (US) Ambassador Donald Blome on Friday called on caretaker Prime Minister (PM) Anwaarul Haq Kakar and reaffirmed his country’s support for free and fair elections in Pakistan, ARY News reported.  

During the meeting, Ambassador Blome congratulated the prime minister on assuming office and reaffirmed the United States’ desire for supporting Pakistan’s economic and development agenda.

Speaking on the occasion, the caretaker prime minister said that Pakistan and the US enjoyed longstanding and broad-based relations, rooted in mutual respect, common interests and shared values.

PM Anwaarul Haq Kakar emphasised that the caretaker government’s main responsibility is to assist the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the electoral process and provide constitutional continuity during the period of democratic transition.

He expressed satisfaction over the current positive trajectory of bilateral ties and appreciated the United States’ (US) role in helping Pakistan to stabilise its economy and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continue the reform agenda for achieving sustainable growth.

Noting the role that the US private sector has traditionally played in supporting Pakistan’s economic growth, he hoped that that more US companies would explore the investment opportunities, particularly to tap the vast potential for investment in Pakistan’s information technology sector.

Lauding the important contributions of the Pakistani-American community towards strengthening ties between the two countries, the prime minister called for increasing people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

The Caretaker PM also reaffirmed the government’s desire to further strengthening bilateral cooperation with the United States in the key areas including trade and investment, energy, security, and climate change.

Meanwhile, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), Donald Blome said during the meeting with PM Kakar, they reaffirmed steadfast commitment to US-Pakistan relationship, support for free and fair elections, and desire to work with and through US Pakistan Green Alliance to build for the future.

“Delighted to meet with Caretaker Prime Minister @anwaar_kakar today. Reaffirmed steadfast commitment to U.S.-Pakistan relationship, support for free and fair elections, desire to work with and through U.S. Pakistan Green Alliance to build for the future. 1/2

— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) August 25, 2023

He said he also encouraged protection of religious minorities and continued partnership with International Monetary Fund (IMF) on economic recovery.