General elections were held in Pakistan on July 25, 2018. The elections were held after the successful completion of a five year term by the outgoing government. In their aftermath, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by ex-cricket captain turned politician, Imran Khan turned out to be the single largest party at the national level.
Numerous countries and organizations expressed their views about the elections. India, the perceived foe of Pakistan, had some good things to say. Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted Khan and congratulated him on the success of his party. Modi expressed his hope that democracy would prevail in Pakistan, and that it was now the time for peace and development in South Asia. The spokesperson from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Mr Raveesh Kumar, expressed his hope for amiable bilateral relations with Pakistan and said, “India desires a prosperous and progressive Pakistan at peace with its neighbours. We hope that the new Government of Pakistan will work constructively to build a safe, stable, secure and developed South Asia, free of terror and violence”. According to the previous Indian Chief Election Commissioner, SY Quraishi, also a member of the international observers group in Pakistan, the election system was transparent, free and fair.
International organizations like the United Nations and European Union also expressed a positive view of the elections. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric applauded the Election Commission for their efforts, observing positive energy related to training and hard work to improve the inclusion of women, people with disabilities and other marginalised groups, as well as first-time voters, in the electoral process.
A European Union delegation was present in Pakistan during the elections as observers. The EU’s observing delegate, Michael Gahler, stated that “The election results are credible”. The Free and Fair Election Network, an election watchdog, commented that “the 2018 polls were more transparent in certain aspects, compared to the previous elections. Significant improvements in the quality of critical electoral processes inspired greater public confidence”.
The US now wishes to conclude the war in Afghanistan by initiating talks with the Taliban, and they need Pakistan’s help, with many expecting the group to rather listen to Imran, than the US
Even though the U.S. State Department had no observers in Pakistan during the elections, due to security concerns, they refused to confirm that the elections were free and fair. The State Department expressed concern over reports regarding limits on freedom of expression before the polls .It was said the US will look for opportunities to collaborate with the new government “to advance goals of security, stability, and prosperity in South Asia”. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert congratulated Pakistan, prominently its women, for mustering up the courage to vote despite the violent circumstances surrounding the election.
It has to be pointed out that the US has always been a keen supporter of democracy in Pakistan. This is why; during this period of successful democratic transition in Pakistan, the US should have supported the country on this achievement, rather than rejecting the outcome completely. Pakistan-US relations have not been cordial after the rise of the Trump administration, particularly after January 2018. The situation has been further aggravated with the new PTI government, who do not have a positive reputation in Washington.
It is suspected that the US has reservations over Khan’s regime, alleging its anti-US and pro-Taliban. After the warning from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to the new Pakistan government, the officials have said that Khan can complicate negotiations between American diplomats and the Taliban over the end of the war in Afghanistan, fraying an already tense relationship between the nuclear-armed Islamic nation, and the Trump administration. The US now wishes to conclude the war in Afghanistan by initiating talks with the Taliban, and they need Pakistan’s help, with many expecting the group to rather listen to Imran, than the US.
If relations between the two countries are expected to improve then an effort has to be made by both sides. The US should be more accepting of the new Pakistan government and the election results, and lend a hand of cooperation for a stronger democracy in Pakistan. The US should take note that every other country and organisation had nothing but positive messages for the government elect and the US should also give Khan a chance to prove his worth, particularly in areas of mutual interest, such as Afghanistan.
On the other hand, Pakistan should try and alleviate the US’ reservations over the new government and the Taliban issue. They should help the US in ending the costly war in Afghanistan, and restore relations between the two nations, as they have enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship for many years.
Pakistan needs a friend like the US for its own interests. It cannot expect to cut all ties with it and put all its eggs in one basket — China. It is to be taken into consideration by the new government to remove the US’ reservations and work positively on something that can benefit both nations.
The writer is a researcher with Strategic Vision Institute, Islamabad, a student of International Relations from Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad and a former exchange student to the US for the course of Leadership and Social Justice
Published in Daily Times, August 15th 2018.