Washington wants irregularities 'fully investigated' in Pakistan polls

• Miller maintains polls in Pakistan were "competitive".
• Says US to work with new govt formed in Islamabad.
• He responds to query about letter by 30 US congressmen.

WASHINGTON: Matthew Miller, the United States' State Department spokesperson, Wednesday said the American government wants to see challenges and irregularities identified in Pakistan's general elections "fully investigated".

The spokesperson's comment came in response to a question regarding a letter written by 30 US congressmen to President Joe Biden, the State Department and State Secretary Antony Blinken, seeking an investigation from Islamabad into the irregularities in the general polls held on February 8.

"There have been challenges brought by political parties to the results and we want to see those challenges and those irregularities fully investigated," Miller said.

The State Department spokesperson maintained that the elections in the country were "competitive", as "millions and millions of people made their voices heard".

"A new government has been formed and we will of course work with that government," he said, acknowledging irregularities in the process.

When asked if the State Department has any comment on the state of press freedom in Pakistan, particularly with regards to the recent curbs on journalists and a senator demanding a ban on all social media platforms, the spokesperson said Washington supports freedom of expression in Pakistan, as its does around the world.

"You’ve heard me in the past say from here that we condemn the partial or complete government-imposed shutdowns of internet platforms, including Twitter or X, and so we have and we will continue to emphasise the importance of respecting these fundamental freedoms during our engagements with Pakistani officials," he said.

Earlier this week, the US welcomed the return of Shehbaz Sharif as prime minister and assured that Washington will work with the new Pakistani government on "advancing shared interests" of the two countries.

“So I’m not going to speak with respect to the new prime minister, but as we’ve said before, we value our longstanding partnership with Pakistan and have always viewed a strong, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan as critical to United States-Pakistan interests, and our engagement with new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his government will continue to focus on advancing these shared interests,” Miller said, when commenting on the newly formed government in Pakistan.