US calls for fair, timely elections in Pakistan

WASHINGTON: The United States has issued a call for timely elections in Pakistan following President Arif Alvi’s proposal of November 6th as the election date.

“We urge Pakistan to hold free, fair, and timely elections and to respect human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law,” stated State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller during a press conference.

When asked by ARY correspondent Jahanzaib Ali about President Alvi’s letter and the Election Commission controversy, Miller promptly responded, “We urge Pakistani authorities to proceed with the electoral process in accordance with Pakistan’s laws, just as we do with countries worldwide.”

Miller emphasized the importance of the partnership between Pakistan and the United States, highlighting the relationships between governments and people.

On September 12th, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller reiterated that the United States does not endorse any political party in Pakistan. He emphasized the US’s support for economic reforms to stabilize Pakistan.

It’s worth mentioning that US Ambassador Donald Blome assured Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja of his country’s support for conducting fair, free, and transparent elections in Pakistan.

Regarding House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul’s request for testimony from three Biden administration spokespersons, including Ned Price, on the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, Mathew Miller explained that Chairman McCaul has sought interviews with several State Department officials and requested numerous documents.

“We have provided hundreds, if not thousands, of pages of documents related to his inquiries,” Miller noted, emphasizing their commitment to cooperating with the committee.

Miller added, “We have already conducted interviews with several officials and will continue to do so as needed, while balancing the House’s need for information with our obligation to protect certain executive branch privileges.”

When asked about Chairman McCaul’s claim that administration spokespersons had misrepresented the situation during the Afghanistan withdrawal, portraying it more positively than reality, Mathew Miller declined to delve into specifics, citing that he was not part of the government at that time.

“I do believe that the government has stated on several occasions that the situation on the ground evolved rapidly and unexpectedly,” he concluded.