No political favourite in Pakistan, says US
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The United States has said that it was not trying to influence the upcoming general elections in Pakistan as it has no political favourite, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.
Addressing his daily news briefing in Washington on Monday, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the US was not trying to influence the outcome of the expected elections in Pakistan as it did not support any party or candidate.
Miller offered this assurance while responding to a question from a journalist, who asked why an ambassador should meet the chief election official of a country.
US Ambassador Donald Blome had met Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja in Islamabad last month.
Miller responded: “I would refer you to the embassy for specific comments on that meeting, which, I am sure, they will be happy to provide. But I think I see where you are going with the question.”
He further said “So, I would reiterate what I have said a number of times, which is that the United States does not take any position with respect to the outcome of an election in Pakistan.”
The United States, he said, did not support any political party or candidate in Pakistan but “of course, we urge free and fair elections in Pakistan as we do throughout the world.”
It is pertinent to mention here that US Ambassador Donald Blome had assured Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja of his country’s support for conducting fair, free and transparent elections in Pakistan during their meeting held last month.
According to the statement released by the US Embassy, Donald Blome had called on ECP chief Sikandar Sultan Raja in Islamabad to discuss important matters related to fair and free elections.
The US will help Islamabad in holding free and fair elections in accordance with Pakistan’s constitution and law, the statement read.
Donald Blome had stressed that choosing Pakistan’s future leaders is the right of the people of the country and the US will continue to work with the elected representatives of Pakistan to deepen and expand bilateral relations۔