US says continuing to monitor Pak polls process

WASHINGTON: Just a couple of days before the general elections in Pakistan, the US Department of State has expressed concerns about the freedom of expression, association, assembly including internet availability in the country.

“We have concerns of the all incidents of violence, restrictions on media freedom, freedom of expression including internet freedom and peaceful assembly and association. We are concerned by some of the infringements that we have seen in that space,” the department principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Monday. During the daily press briefing, Mr Patel said that the U.S. was continuing to monitor Pakistan’s electoral process quite closely and added, “we want to see that process take place in a way that facilitates broad participation with respect for freedom of expression, assembly and associations.” He stated that Pakistanis deserve to exercise their fundamental right to choose their future leaders through free and fair elections without fear, violence or intimidation. “It is ultimately for the people of Pakistan to decide their political future,” he concluded.