'Not for US to dictate Pakistan exact specifics' for holding polls: State Department

• US to continue supporting democratic expression: spox.
• Our interest is in the democratic process, Miller says.
• Spokesperson terms Imran Khan's accusations baseless.

WASHINGTON: State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller on Thursday said the United States would continue to support the democratic expression and vibrant democracy in Islamabad, The News reported.

To a query, while briefing the media, Miller said it was not for the US to dictate to Pakistan the exact specifics of how it conducted the upcoming polls.

Evading answering exactly to the question of the alleged creation of hurdles for some political leaders coming to file nomination papers, the spokesperson said the US wanted to see the polls held in a free, fair and peaceful manner “that includes freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association and ultimately a full, open, reliable, vibrant democratic process”.

He said Pakistan’s future leadership was for the Pakistani people to decide. "Our interest is in the democratic process. We want to see free and fair elections conducted in accordance with Pakistan’s laws and we don’t support one candidate or party over another in Pakistan or anywhere else in the world," he added.

Responding to a question about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan’s allegation of so-called American interference in ousting his government over refusing to let the US establish a military base in Pakistan, the spokesperson said that, "the former prime minister’s accusations are baseless".

On December 12, 2023, the US acknowledged Pakistan's significance as a "major" ally and plans to partner with it on regional security and defence cooperation.

Responding to a question during a presser, Miller had said Pakistan was a major non-North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) ally and a NATO partner.