LAHORE: Former prime minister Imran Khan’s invitation to the US to meddle in the nation’s elections, according to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb, violates Pakistan’s sovereignty.
Speaking at a press conference alongside party chief Ataullah Tarar, she asked where Imran’s “Absolutely Not” slogan had gone. When he called on the US to take a firm stand against “rigging” in the most recent general elections in Pakistan, he said, “We are not slaves.”
Marriyum advised anyone with concerns about the election results to contact the Pakistani Election Commission (ECP). She attacked the media’s disinformation campaign about indeterminate outcomes. She emphasized that these are the laws, even though they do not represent the ECP.
She further said that the PTI was responsible for unneeded “chaos and spreading anarchy” during the elections. The PML-N leader claimed that “the PTI was busy spreading chaos when the Chinese president was visiting; when electricity projects were being inaugurated,” citing times when similar circumstances occurred. “The RTS failed in 2018, and the PTI is talking about election rigging today?” .
According to the PML-N leader, the PTI wants to cause anarchy. “If they are experts in anything, it is in causing unrest, spreading turmoil, and economically destabilising the country,” she said. “Has any other party member asked for another country to interfere in our elections,” Marriyum responded.
The PML-N spokesperson remarked, “This means you are a US agent and you receive foreign funding from them.” She made it very apparent to the media that “the PTI has completely lost” the general elections and that, in accordance with the law, the party should contact the electoral watchdog if it possesses any proof of misconduct.
Marriyum went on to say that there was no electoral fraud and that Form 45 takes time to complete. She said that phony screenshots of Form 45s were circulated on social media by the PTI.
She finished by saying that holding a news conference at a hotel or on a global media platform is not the appropriate method to address concerns about the elections. ‘Inviting foreign involvement’ in elections is something she denounced.
The US should take a firm stand: Imran
Imran had called for the US to take a strong stand against “rigging” in the most recent general elections held in Pakistan one day earlier.
PTI leader Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif told the media that the former prime minister had pressured the US to adopt a more stringent position on the latest general elections after meeting Imran in Adiala Jail. He was joined by former speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaiser.
He went on to describe Imran as saying that given the way the PTI was removed from the polls, the US ought to speak up more.
According to Barrister Saif, the PTI founding chairman thought that the US had backed corrupt and autocratic regimes, but that the party now had a chance to speak out against the alleged “rigging” of Pakistan’s elections.
The announcement was made the day after the US Department of State declared that Pakistan’s government should look into the claims of election manipulation.
US queries election management
The US expressed alarm over claims of vote-rigging and questioned the “undue restrictions” imposed throughout Pakistan’s election process, but it also promised to cooperate with the future government.
After Thursday’s election, candidates who supported imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan were leading in the vote tally.
Despite a crackdown on the party, his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was doing better than predicted. However, following a period of political horse-trading, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was still expected to become the next government.
Spokesman for the State Department Matthew Miller enumerated the US’s issues with the process while stating that Washington looked forward to “timely, complete results that reflect the will of the Pakistani people”.
“We join credible international and local election observers in their assessment that these elections included undue restrictions on freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly,” Miller stated in a statement.
“We denounce electoral violence… and express concern over claims of election meddling.” Investigations into allegations of fraud or interference should be thorough.”
But according to Miller, US President Joe Biden’s administration is “prepared to work with the next Pakistani government, regardless of political party, to advance our shared interests,” which include collaboration on commerce, investment, and security.
