Us Pak

US monitoring Pakistan's electoral process closely, says official

The United States is closely monitoring Pakistan's electoral process, an official of the US State Department has said, observing that it has concerns over the infringement with respect for freedom of expression, assembly, and associations. Speaking at his regular press briefing, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said that it wants the broad participation of the people of Pakistan in the country's election. "We're continuing to monitor Pakistan's electoral process quite closely, and as we have said, we want to see that process take place in a way that facilitates broad participation with respect for freedom of expression, assembly, and associations, Patel said. Pakistan will hold its general elections on February 8. "We have concerns of all incidents of violence and restrictions on media freedom; freedom of expression, including internet freedom; and peaceful assembly and association. We're concerned by some of the infringements that we've seen in that space. ..

Pakistan Election Commission ready for Feb 8 Polls with EMS setup

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) concluded setting up the Election Management System (EMS) and election monitoring on Monday

US lawmakers call for withholding assistance to Pakistan over poll fairness

A group of 11 influential US lawmakers have urged the Biden administration to withhold future assistance to Pakistan until Islamabad restores constitutional order and holds free and fair elections, it emerged on Sunday. In a letter to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, the lawmakers, which included Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who is one of the champions of Muslim causes in the US Congress, requested the state department to assess if US-origin security assistance had facilitated human rights violations in Pakistan. We further request that future security assistance be withheld until Pakistan has moved decisively toward the restoration of Constitutional order, including by holding free and fair elections in which all parties are able to participate freely, they wrote. Pakistan's moves to further strengthen the blasphemy law also figured prominently in the letter, which warned Secretary Blinken that the proposed changes would be used to further tighten the noose around smaller religious

F-16 programme important part of bilateral relationship with Pakistan: US

The F-16 programme is an important part of a broader US-Pakistan bilateral relationship and this fleet will allow the country to support counterterrorism operations, the Biden administration has said, defending its decision to provide a USD 450 million worth of military sustenance programme to Pakistan. On September 8, the Biden administration approved a USD 450 million F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment programme to Pakistan to help it meet current and future counterterrorism threats, in Washington's first major security assistance to Islamabad in four years. We did recently notify Congress of a proposed foreign military sale valued at USD450 million for maintenance and sustainment services for the Pakistani Air Force's F-16 programme, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price told reporters at his daily news conference on Tuesday. Pakistan is an important partner in a number of regards, an important counterterrorism partner. And as part of our longstanding policy, we provide lifecyc

Blinken, counterpart Bilawal discuss ties since new Pak govt formation

Secretary Blinken congratulated Bilawal on the assumption of his office and expressed the desire to continue strengthening the mutually beneficial Pakistan-US bilateral relationship

Ex-US Ambassador to Pak pleads guilty to undisclosed lobbying for Qatar

Richard Olson is also accused of accepting a lavish trip to Qatar while still serving as the US envoy to Pakistan, said the Dawn news report

US values its long standing cooperation with Pakistan: White House

However, Psaki refrained from responding to questions on the possibility of a phone call between President Joe Biden and Sharif

Pakistan has other 'options', PM Imran Khan's aide tells United States

Pakistan's National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf has said that Islamabad has other "options" if Biden continues to ignore the country's leadership.

US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan should be linked with peace: Pakistan

Pakistan on Thursday said that the withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan should be linked with the progress in the peace process in the war-torn neighbouring country.

US House presents bill to terminate Pakistan as major non-NATO ally

The bill also notes that the US President cannot issue a separate designation of Pakistan as a Major NATO ally

US looks forward to strengthen bilateral partnership with Pak, says Pompeo

For more than 70 years, the US and Pakistan have worked together on issues of critical importance, Pompeo said.

F-16 deal no longer a viable offer with Pakistan: US

Amid calls on the nation to improve Afghanistan-Pakistan ties, the United States has declared this in a Capitol Hill meeting

Pak, US to hold strategic dialogue tomorrow

It will be the third annual meeting since the present government has come to power