Pakistan passes resolution opposing US call for election probe in tit-for-tat move

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In a strong rebuttal to a recent US resolution calling for an investigation into Pakistan’s general elections, the National Assembly of Pakistan adopted a resolution on Friday denouncing the US Congressional resolution despite objections from lawmakers from the party of imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan, who say the Feb. 8 vote was rigged.

The resolution was introduced by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Shaista Pervaiz Malik and characterized the U.S. resolution as “contrary to facts” and an “interference” in Pakistan’s internal affairs.

Malik in a televised speech said the U.S. resolution passed Wednesday was “completely against the facts.” She said Pakistan would not tolerate any such interference in its internal affairs.

The latest development came a day after Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry rejected the U.S. congressional resolution, which stunned authorities in Pakistan.

On Friday, Islamabad said it has decided to appoint a new ambassador to the U.S. to replace Masood Khan.

At a news conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baluch, said Khan would be replaced by diplomat Rizwan Saeed Sheikh. However, she said the new appointment had already been under consideration.

Baluch said Pakistan regretted the resolution adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives.

“The resolution clearly stems from an inadequate and erroneous understanding of the political and electoral processes of Pakistan. It is also an unsolicited interference in Pakistan’s domestic affairs,” she said.

Though Pakistan’s top leadership expressed anger over the U.S. resolution, Khan’s party hailed it, saying its victory in the election was converted into a defeat by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Khan’s party won the most seats but fell short of a simple majority to form a government. That paved the way for Khan’s political rivals to form a coalition government.

The US House of Representatives passed a bipartisan resolution on Wednesday, in support of democracy and human rights in Pakistan and called for a "thorough and independent investigation" into interference claims in Pakistan's 2024 elections.The resolution -- passed with 85 per cent of House members participating and 98 per cent voting in its favour -- urged US President Joe Biden to collaborate with Pakistan in "upholding democracy, human rights, and the rule of law".

The resolution, HR 901, titled 'Expressing support for democracy and human rights in Pakistan' was introduced by Congressman McCormick of Georgia and Congressman Kildee of Michigan and co-sponsored by over 100 colleagues.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who replaced Khan after his ouster from power in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in Parliament, has repeatedly offered a dialogue with Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, which has a strong presence in the parliament.

However, Khan’s party has rejected the offer, saying Sharif’s came into power through a fraud vote.