President Joe Biden is closely monitoring the developments of Pakistan’s February 08 general election.
In her daily press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre conveyed to journalists that President Biden is thoroughly briefed on the significant voter participation in the recent Pakistani elections. She highlighted the remarkable engagement of Pakistani women, diverse religious and ethnic minority groups, and a substantial number of young voters, underscoring the inclusivity of the electoral process.
Jean-Pierre congratulated the people of Pakistan for their engagement in the 2024 general elections. This acknowledgement was directed towards all participants, including poll workers, civil society members, journalists, and election observers, who played vital roles in upholding the integrity of Pakistan’s democratic and electoral institutions.
She emphasized that the United States stands firmly alongside democracies globally, advocating consistently and unequivocally for the respect of the Pakistani electorate’s decision and maintaining a transparent electoral process. Highlighting the importance of these principles, Jean-Pierre affirmed they are fundamental to the democratic process.
The political landscape in Pakistan remains uncertain, with no single party, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), or the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-supported independent candidates, achieving an outright majority in the National Assembly as a result of the February 8 general elections.
Efforts are ongoing among political entities to form coalitions and attain the necessary 169 seats in the 336-member lower house of parliament.
Throughout the announcement of the results, PTI-supported independent candidates emerged as leading figures, particularly in the National and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assemblies, surpassing established political parties in the general elections of 2024.