ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s defense minister on Wednesday criticized a US House of Representatives resolution calling for a probe of alleged voting irregularities in the South Asian nation’s February general election.
The vote, in which no single party won a clear majority, was marred by violence, communication blackouts and allegations by the party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan that the polls were rigged. The country’s election commission denies this.
“They have no right to interfere in our internal affairs or give any sort of verdict on the matter,” Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told local broadcaster Geo News.
He said the resolution, passed on Tuesday, had “no value” and was political posturing in an election year in the United States. In addition to calling for an independent investigation, the US House resolution condemned any effort to subvert the electoral process.
Pakistan’s foreign office released a more carefully worded statement, saying that the resolution “stems from an incomplete understanding of the political situation and electoral process in Pakistan.”
Washington’s support will be crucial for Islamabad in coming weeks as it looks to secure a fresh bailout from the International Monetary Fund to stave off an economic crisis.
The resolution will not have much impact on Washington’s policy toward Pakistan, Michael Kugelman, director of the Wilson Center’s South Asia Institute, said in a post on social media platform X.
But, he added, it raised questions about whether Pakistan legislation could follow, noting bipartisan support for the resolution.
The resolution was welcomed by Khan’s party, which was banned from contesting the elections.
“The hope is that other nations and leaders will follow the US House’s example,” senior Khan aide Zulfikar Bukhari said in a text message.
Independent candidates backed by Khan won the most seats but did not have the numbers to form a government. Instead an alliance of his rivals formed a government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The polls remain contentious and are facing a number of legal challenges.
Pakistan defense minister criticizes US House call for probe into election
https://arab.news/7jm95
Pakistan defense minister criticizes US House call for probe into election
- Khawaja Asif says the resolution has ‘no value,’ calls it political posturing in a US election year
- Washington’s support will be crucial for Islamabad in coming weeks during IMF bailout talks
Pakistan says Iraq expressed ‘keen interest’ in JF-17 jets at air chiefs meeting
- Pakistan’s defense sector has drawn growing interest and investment since a four-day standoff with India in May last year
- Many countries have since increased defense engagement, while multiple others have proposed learning from Pakistan’s expertise
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military said on Saturday that Iraq had shown “keen interest” in its JF-17 Thunder and Super Mushshak aircraft at a meeting between chiefs of the two air forces.
Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu called on Lt. Gen. Staff Pilot Mohanad Ghalib Mohammed Radi Al-Asadi, commander of the Iraqi Air Force, during his official visit to Iraq.
The Pakistani air chief was accorded a guard of honor at the Iraqi Air Force headquarters, symbolizing the strong bond of mutual respect, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.
“Discussions focused on enhancing bilateral military cooperation, with emphasis on joint training, capacity-building and improving operational cooperation,” the ISPR said.
“The Iraqi Air Chief praised PAF’s professionalism and technological advancement, expressed interest in benefiting from PAF’s world-class training and expressed keen interest in JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, Super Mushshak trainer aircraft.”
Pakistan’s defense sector has drawn growing interest and investment, particularly since a four-day India-Pakistan military standoff in May last year. Islamabad claimed victory in the standoff, saying it had shot down six Indian aircraft, including French-made Rafale jets. India acknowledged losses but did not specify a number.
Many countries have since stepped up defense engagement with Pakistan, while delegations from multiple other nations have proposed learning from Pakistan Air Force’s multi-domain air warfare capabilities that successfully demonstrated how advanced Chinese military technology performs against Western hardware.
Pakistan markets the Chinese co-developed JF-17 as a lower-cost multi-role fighter and has positioned itself as a supplier able to offer aircraft, training and maintenance outside Western supply chains.
Islamabad is in the final phases of striking a $1.5-billion deal to supply weapons and jets to Sudan in a major boost for Sudan’s army that has been battling the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, Reuters reported this week, citing a former top air force official and three sources.
The South Asian country reached a deal worth over $4 billion to sell military equipment to the Libyan National Army, Reuters report last month, citing Pakistani officials. The deal, one of Pakistan’s largest-ever weapons sales, included the sale of 16 JF-17 fighter jets and 12 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft for basic pilot training.
