Pakistan tells U.S. to focus on Gaza, Kashmir Rather than Election Probe

In a recent development, the Pakistani Parliament emphatically rejected a U.S. congressional resolution calling for an investigation into alleged rigging in the February 2024 elections. This move, described as an interference in Pakistan's internal affairs, has sparked a significant diplomatic rift. Lawmakers emphasized that the resolution ignores the enthusiasm and freedom with which millions of Pakistanis participated in the electoral process.

The resolution in the National Assembly, led by a member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), passed with a majority, while the main opposition party voiced its dissent. The assembly asserted that Pakistan, as an independent and sovereign nation, would not tolerate such external meddling. 

Critics within the Pakistani Parliament redirected attention to pressing global issues, notably the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the human rights violations in Kashmir. They called on the U.S. and the international community to prioritize alleviating the suffering of people in these regions. Lawmakers condemned Israel's actions in Gaza as genocidal and highlighted state-sanctioned atrocities against minorities in India, particularly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration.

The backdrop to this dispute includes the February 8 general elections in Pakistan, where independent candidates, supported by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, secured a majority. However, Khan, currently imprisoned since last August, faced accusations of orchestrating electoral fraud. The caretaker administration, responsible for overseeing the elections, dismissed these claims despite allegations of internet shutdowns and delayed results, which fueled suspicions of rigging.

On the U.S. side, the House of Representatives, in a decisive 368-7 vote, demanded a "full and independent investigation" into the alleged irregularities. The resolution condemned efforts to suppress democratic participation in Pakistan, citing concerns over harassment, violence, and restrictions on communication channels.

In response, Pakistan has decided to appoint Rizwan Saeed Sheikh as the new ambassador to the U.S., replacing Masood Khan. This decision, according to the Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baluch, was in consideration before the current controversy.

As tensions simmer, Pakistan's position remains clear: it rejects any external interference in its electoral process and insists that global attention should be directed towards addressing significant humanitarian crises. This stance reflects a broader demand for international solidarity with the people of Gaza and Kashmir, who continue to endure severe hardships.

The resolution passed by the Pakistani Parliament stands as a strong assertion of national sovereignty and a call for a recalibrated focus on urgent humanitarian issues, challenging the U.S. to reassess its foreign policy priorities in the region.