Washington: The spokesperson of the US State Department has expressed concern over the shutdown of mobile phones and internet on polling day in Pakistan and said that we are keen to continue the democratic process and provide the basic right to freedom of expression.
According to the World News Agency, during the weekly press briefing, the spokesperson of the US Department of State, Vedant Patel, was asked several questions by journalists regarding the general elections in Pakistan and its results.
A journalist questioned whether the preliminary results so far are in favor of Imran Khan’s party. He’s leading in I think 136 districts right now but you’ll also be seeing a lot of reports and videos of attempts to swing the vote. It is feared that this success in 136 districts will not be reduced till morning.
On which the American spokesman said that the preliminary results are that they are still preliminary. And we should not go further till the official announcement is made so I will not comment or speculate as to who might form the government.
The journalist then asked that if we accept that the Pakistani people elect the majority of independent candidates associated with PTI, but then suddenly another candidate for the prime minister emerges from the backdoor negotiations who has the majority, so what? It will be fine for America.
“I don’t want to speculate on the matter that you are doing right now,” the US spokesman said. Only when such a situation arises can something be said.
A journalist asked that elections have been held in Pakistan, does America have any message for the people? Immediately the journalist apologized and repeated his question that after the disputed elections in Pakistan, does America have any message to the people in Pakistan?
On which the American spokesman said that millions of Pakistanis went to vote and I will repeat my point that the decision of the future leadership of Pakistan is for the people there. Our interest is in the continuation of the democratic process.
The US spokesperson strongly condemned the election-related violence and expressed concern over the shutdown of mobile phones and internet. He said that cases of violations of freedom of expression are being monitored.
Another journalist asked about the relationship with the next government to be formed in Pakistan, to which the US spokesperson said that we are interested in taking appropriate steps to develop our relationship and partnership with the government of Pakistan.
