The inaugural session of Pakistan’s National Assembly began on Thursday (February 29), 21 days after the general elections. The new members of Parliament were sworn in amid widespread commotion and protests on the first day of the session. And the polling for the Prime Minister election will be next Sunday (March 03).
In such a situation, 31 members of the US Congress have written to President Joe Biden not to recognize the new government of Pakistan. The same letter was given to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. Reuters news.
A letter written to President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was signed by 31 members of the US Congress. In the letter, they requested not to recognize the new government of Pakistan until the election interference and fraud are investigated.
Allegations of vote rigging followed the country’s February 8 election day shutdown of mobile internet as well as arrests, increased violence and unusually delayed results announcements ahead of polls. The United States, Britain and the European Union later expressed concern about election irregularities and called for an investigation.
The letter, written on Wednesday (February 28), asked the Pakistani authorities to release those detained for engaging in political speech or activity, along with a request not to recognize the new government. In addition, the letter also requested the officials of the US State Department to collect information about such cases and speak out for their release.
The letter urged President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken to make it clear to the Pakistani authorities that Washington could use measures such as suspending its military and other cooperation if no relevant action is taken.
The letter, signed by 31 Democratic members of the US House of Representatives, is led by Reps. Greg Cassar and Susan Wild. Among the signatories are lawmakers such as Reps. Pramila Jaipal, Rashida Talib, Ro Khanna, Jamie Raskin, Ilhan Omar, Cory Bush and Barbara Lee.
