Pakistan accused the United States of meddling in its internal affairs shortly after the US House of Representatives passed a resolution on Wednesday. The resolution raised concerns about the credibility of Pakistan’s February general election, which Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party claimed was manipulated to prevent its victory.
Pakistan responded firmly, highlighting ongoing tensions in its relationship with the US, once a key ally. However, analysts believe this is unlikely to disrupt recent efforts to stabilize relations.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Pakistan values constructive dialogue but views such resolutions as unhelpful and biased. Baloch criticized the timing and context of the resolution, suggesting it reflects a limited understanding of Pakistan’s political and electoral processes.
Defence Minister Khwaja Asif also criticized the resolution, asserting that the US has no right to interfere in Pakistan’s internal matters. He further questioned the US’s commitment to electoral transparency, referencing historical interventions in foreign governments and its stance on international conflicts, including the situation in Gaza.
Asif’s remarks underscore Pakistan’s stance on maintaining sovereignty and independence in its political processes, despite external scrutiny. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in US-Pakistan relations, amidst efforts to navigate diplomatic tensions and maintain bilateral cooperation.
What does the resolution say?
House Resolution 901, initially introduced by Republican Congressman Rich McCormick and co-sponsored by Democrat Congressman Daniel Kildee in November last year, is titled “Expressing Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Pakistan.” It was brought to Congress on June 25, urging the Pakistani government to uphold democratic and electoral institutions and condemning any violations of Pakistani people’s human, civil, or political rights.
The resolution garnered strong support from 368 members of Congress, with seven opposing votes. Despite PTI’s claim that its mandate was undermined in the February 8 elections despite winning the highest number of seats (93), they welcomed the resolution’s passage. Former President Arif Alvi, a senior PTI leader, described it as a positive step.
Pakistan’s general elections were delayed by three months from their original schedule. Despite the Election Commission of Pakistan denying PTI the use of its election symbol, candidates backed by the party secured 93 seats, the most of any party. However, PTI fell short of the majority mark, alleging its mandate was usurped.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which won 75 and 54 seats respectively, formed a coalition with smaller parties to govern.
“A signal”
Maleeha Lodhi, a former Pakistani ambassador to the US, United Nations, and United Kingdom, remarked that the nonbinding resolution simply reflects congressional sentiments and concerns regarding Pakistan’s situation.
Lodhi told That the resolution won’t strain US-Pakistan relations. Instead, it signals Capitol Hill’s views to the Biden administration without mandating any specific action from Washington.
She emphasized the importance for Pakistan to enhance its lobbying efforts in Congress.
Imran Khan, founder of PTI and Pakistan’s prime minister from August 2018 to April 2022, alleged a conspiracy involving the US, Pakistani military chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and political rivals to remove him from power. These claims were repeatedly denied by both Washington and the Pakistani military.
Khan, currently in jail since August 2023 on various charges, specifically accused senior State Department official Donald Lu of advocating for his removal due to engagement with Russia during its conflict with Ukraine. Lu categorically denied these allegations during a congressional hearing in March this year.
After the Pakistani elections, US President Joe Biden congratulated Shehbaz Sharif of the PMLN upon becoming prime minister, signaling a potential improvement in relations. This shift was evident in the State Department’s June 26 briefing, where spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed support for Pakistan’s recent counterterrorism efforts.
Former Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir noted that while the resolution reflects US congressional views, it won’t hinder bilateral relations. Bashir anticipated that both countries will continue pursuing mutually beneficial ties after addressing domestic concerns.
Muhammad Faisal, a foreign policy expert, viewed the US resolution as primarily a matter of domestic politics, highlighting the importance of Pakistani-origin American votes in certain districts.
Mosharraf Zaidi of Islamabad-based think tank Tabadlab emphasized that foreign governments often seek to influence Pakistan but rarely achieve desired outcomes. He noted that while US-Pakistan tensions may pose challenges, economic and security issues remain paramount in the relationship.
