White House "Deeply Disturbed" as Pakistan Election Outcome Delayed, Monitoring Closely

The White House expresses concern over Pakistan's elections, citing reports of intimidation. US lawmaker Raja Krishnamoorthi urges caution in recognizing the winner amidst allegations of vote-rigging. Imran Khan's candidates secure seats, but alliances remain uncertain. Tensions rise as Pakistan navigates a complex electoral process, drawing international scrutiny.

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The White House has voiced its apprehensions regarding the recent general elections in Pakistan, citing concerns over reports of voter intimidation and suppression. John Kirby, the Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council, emphasized the need for close observation of the unfolding situation. He underscored the importance of ensuring a fair electoral process free from coercion.

Kirby acknowledged that the vote tallying process was still ongoing, with international monitors scrutinizing the results. He refrained from preempting the outcome, emphasizing the significance of allowing the monitoring process to proceed unhindered. Meanwhile, Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, co-chair of the House China committee, urged caution in recognizing the election winner, highlighting the need for a thorough review of the allegations of irregularities.

The election results in Pakistan have been inconclusive, with no single party securing a clear majority. Notably, candidates aligned with Imran Khan secured a significant number of seats, emerging as the largest group in the assembly. However, Khan ruled out forming alliances with the other major parties, complicating the path to forming a government.

Krishnamoorthi expressed deep concern over reports of Pakistan's military involvement in alleged vote-rigging and violence. He condemned what he described as months of targeted suppression and intimidation tactics leading up to the elections. Krishnamoorthi stressed the importance of ensuring that the election results accurately reflect the will of the Pakistani people, independent of any military interference.

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The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) projected Shehbaz Sharif as the next prime minister, despite his elder brother Nawaz Sharif's electoral success. The elder Sharif, a three-time prime minister, is favored to lead the government. However, concerns persist over the transparency and fairness of the electoral process, prompting calls for a comprehensive review before recognizing a winner.

As tensions mount and uncertainty looms over the election outcome, the international community watches closely, urging Pakistan to uphold democratic principles and ensure a credible electoral process. The White House's vigilance underscores the significance of transparent and fair elections in upholding democracy and fostering stability in the region.