Washington says formation of coalition government without Imran Khan loyalists Pakistan’s ‘internal matter’

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: The United States said this week that talks about the formation of a coalition government in Pakistan were the country’s “internal matter,” reiterating Washington’s demand for Islamabad to thoroughly probe allegations that last week’s national polls were rigged. 

Talks are expected to conclude today, Thursday, between the party of Pakistani former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and its allies who have agreed to form a coalition government at the center, with discussions revolving around appointments to important posts in the new set-up and convincing junior partners to join the administration and accept cabinet positions.

The general elections of Feb. 8 concluded with no party emerging as a clear winner and strong enough to form a government on its own. Independent candidates backed by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan secured the highest number of seats.

However, as they were not allowed to contest polls from the Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s platform, Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerged as the party that bagged the most seats in the country, followed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). 

Khan’s PTI has claimed victory in the polls, saying that candidates affiliated with the party won the highest number of seats. In a message from jail on Tuesday, Khan warned opponents against forming a government with “stolen votes,” saying it would send the country’s economy in a downward spiral. 

During a press briefing on Wednesday, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller was asked to comment on Khan being excluded from a Pakistani coalition government when his backed candidates won the most seats. 

“Look, that is ultimately an internal matter,” Miller responded. “You see this in a number of countries that have parliamentary systems of government, where no country has – or – I’m sorry – where no party has established a majority you see the kind of coalitions that are formed.

“Ultimately that’s not a decision for the United States to make. It’s a decision for Pakistan to make.”
Last week’s polls were marred by a mobile Internet shutdown and unusually delayed results, leading to accusations that the Feb. 8 elections were rigged and drawing concern from rights groups and foreign governments. Several political parties and candidates have held protests against the results and Khan’s PTI has challenged many of the results in court.

The Pakistani government says the measures were taken as the run-up to elections was marred by attacks on rallies, election offices and candidates.

Twenty-eight people were killed in a number of attacks in the Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces bordering Afghanistan on election eve.
Pakistan’s election regulator has strongly denied allegations it rigged the polls, saying on Monday that delays in poll results were due to the nationwide suspension of mobile phone networks and other logistical issues. 

A reporter asked Miller how Washington was coping with pressure from some American lawmakers, who were asking it not to accept Pakistan’s elections unless rigging allegations are not thoroughly investigated. 

Miller pointed out the US has already called for rigging allegations to be probed, saying it is the “appropriate step to take.” He said this was Washington’s response to questions of election irregularities not only in Pakistan but anywhere else in the world, adding that the US would continue to call for the probe. 

“But at the same time, it’s clear that the elections in Pakistan were competitive, and we look forward to working with the government, once it’s formed, that the people of Pakistan elected,” he said.

courtesy : arab news