Senior US diplomat Nuland urges 'timely' and 'fair' elections in Pakistan

Senior U.S. diplomat Victoria Nuland had a conversation with Pakistani Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani regarding the significance of having “timely, free and fair elections” in Pakistan, according to the U.S. State Department.

The U.S. State Department stated, “Acting Deputy Secretary Nuland and Foreign Minister Jilani discussed the importance of timely, free and fair elections in a manner consistent with Pakistan’s laws and constitution.”

Pakistan has been experiencing a political crisis for more than a year, with former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was removed from office through a parliamentary vote of no confidence last year, being a central figure in the turmoil.

Khan attributed his removal to the United States and Pakistan’s military. However, both Washington and the military have refuted his claims. The State Department’s statement about the conversation between Nuland and Jilani did not mention Khan.

On Tuesday, a Pakistani high court suspended the imprisoned former prime minister’s sentence on corruption charges. Nevertheless, he will remain in custody as he had already been detained in another case ordered by a judge. Khan’s conviction has also disqualified him from participating in elections for five years. Despite this, he remains the most popular leader in Pakistan, according to opinion polls.

In mid-August, Pakistan swore in a caretaker cabinet led by interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar. Their responsibility is to govern the country until new elections take place, which may be postponed beyond November due to the redrawing of constituency boundaries.

The primary goal of the caretaker cabinet is to ensure economic stability in Pakistan. The country’s $350 billion economy is gradually recovering after securing a last-minute $3 billion bailout deal from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to prevent a sovereign debt default.

Earlier this month, the election commission announced that new constituencies based on the latest census will be finalized by December 14. Following that, the commission will announce the election date.

Political analysts suggest that if the caretaker government extends its tenure beyond the constitutional limits, it could provide an opportunity for the military, which has directly ruled for over three decades of Pakistan’s 76-year history, to consolidate control.

Nuland and Jilani also discussed Pakistan’s economic stability and ongoing engagement with the IMF, according to the State Department.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh; Editing by Sandra Maler and Christopher Cushing)