Concerned over incidents of violence ahead of Pakistan's general elections: Donald Lowe

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lowe has submitted a statement to the US House of Representatives Committee and he will appear in the committee today and give a statement regarding Pakistan's elections.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lowe, has said in his statement that there were violent incidents before the general elections in Pakistan , terrorist attacks on police, politicians and political gatherings, journalists, especially women, were subjected to political violence. Party supporters harassed.

This statement on behalf of Donald Low has been submitted to the committee of the US House of Representatives on Tuesday. Donald Lowe will appear before the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee of the House today, Wednesday, and make a statement regarding the general elections to be held in Pakistan on February 8, 2024.

According to US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lowe, several political leaders failed to register their particular candidates and parties, the election watchdog said, and were prevented from accessing polling stations, despite a high court order. Internet service was closed on election day.

The US House Foreign Affairs Committee's hearing today will also consider Pakistan- US relations after the general elections on February 8, 2024.

Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lowe will be the only witness at the hearing.

Donald Lowe's testimony is important because of the alleged involvement of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in the US cipher allegations in Pakistan.

Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan alleged that Donald Low had threatened to destabilize the PTI government during a meeting with then Pakistani ambassador Asad Majeed Khan in Washington in March 2022.

In his written statement to the US House of Representatives committee, Donald Lowe began by looking back at the past and said that '31 years ago when I was a junior officer in Peshawar, Pakistan, I watched the Pakistani election closely. I saw electoral irregularities as well as the courage of Pakistani voters who turned out to vote despite the threat of violence and intimidation.

Three decades ago, this contest was between the brother of the current Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, and the late Benazir Bhutto, whose sons and husband are now leading the Pakistan People's Party.

"Today I want to say a few words about where there were flaws in the elections held on February 8, 2024, where we saw positive elements and what the American policy has in store for Pakistan in the future.

In his statement, he also mentioned the statements of the US State Department which were given on January 7, 2024.

These statements include unnecessary restrictions on the freedoms of expression, expression of support and peaceful assembly, condemnation of electoral violence and restrictions on human rights and fundamental freedoms, attacks on media workers and restrictions on access to the Internet and telecommunications services, and condemnation of electoral violence. The process included expressing concern over allegations of interference.

"We were particularly concerned about the electoral irregularities and violence that took place in the weeks leading up to the election," Lowe said. First, terrorist groups attacked police, politicians and political gatherings. Second, many journalists, especially women journalists, have been harassed and abused by party supporters and many political leaders have suffered from being denied registration of certain candidates and political parties.'

Increasing electoral participation

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lowe mentioned the positive things in his written statement and said that there were positive elements in these elections. Despite threats of violence, more than 60 million Pakistanis voted, including 21 million women.

Voters elected 50 percent more women to parliament than in 2018. In addition to a record number of women candidates, members of religious and linguistic minority groups and youth also contested for seats in Parliament.'

According to Donald Lowe, voters in Pakistan had a choice and several political parties won seats in the national and provincial assemblies, with three different political parties now leading the four provinces of Pakistan. More than five thousand independent observers were in the field and the result was that the conduct of the elections was largely competitive and orderly, while some irregularities in the tabulation of results were noted.

American policy

Referring to American Pakistan, Donald Lowe said that 'Pakistan is an important partner of America. We are committed to strengthening Pakistan's democratic institutions, supporting the US-Pakistan Green Alliance framework, cooperating to counter terrorist threats from groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS, and strengthening respect for human rights, including religious freedom. Participate in commitment.

Most importantly, the United States plays an important role in promoting a stable economy in Pakistan. We are also the top country for Pakistan's exports. We have been one of the leading investors in critical infrastructure. We have been a leading investor in critical infrastructure throughout our 76 years of partnership.'

Donald Lowe gave the example of the renovation of Mangla and Tarbela dams, which provide electricity to millions of Pakistanis, and are being repaired by the US government.