WHILE the UN charter reiterates equality of sovereignty of all member states, the USA through its behaviour has invariably tried to assert that it was more equal than others. The US legislators and even the administration over the years have exhibited impulsive propensity to poke their nose into internal affairs of other nations and championing the cause of human rights and democracy notwithstanding the fact that USA’s own record in this regard is dismal and extremely condemnable.
The underlying mind-set is that being a super power the USA has the legitimate right to tell other nations how they have to run the affairs of their country. That kind of conduct certainly does not conform to principles enshrined in the UN Charter in regards to relations between the member states. But who cares? There is a Punjabi adage saying ‘for the powerful seven twenties make a hundred.
The resolution passed by the US Congress expressing concern over the conduct of 2024 general elections in Pakistan and state of human rights and demanding free and fair probe into allegations of rigging is a blatant interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan and disdainful attitude of USA towards other nations. It constitutes an affront to the conscience of any self-respecting nation.
However, it is gratifying to note that the parliament of Pakistan has given a befitting response to the Congress resolution. It rightly and justifiably rejected the resolution saying “An independent and sovereign country like Pakistan will not accept any interference in its internal affairs and the subject resolution is an attempt to undermine the state” The question is who has given the right to US or its legislators to indulge in such indiscretions designed to malign and denigrate another sovereign state. The US congress by committing the folly of passing this resolution has demonstrated attitude of a bully.
The National Assembly deserves unqualified appreciation for standing up to bullying by the US Congress and the sponsors of the resolution. Also encouraging is the fact that while expressing Pakistan’s commitment to cordial relations with USA the national assembly also reminded the US legislators and administration where there attention was more needed instead of interference in Pakistani affairs. The rejoinder by national assembly justifiably drew attention of US House of Representatives to more important and humanitarian issues such as the ongoing acts of genocide in Gaza, gross human rights violation in Indian illegally occupied Jummu and Kashmir and suppression of minorities by the Modi government in India.
The fact of the matter is that USA is culprit of humanity because of its abetment of genocide of Palestinians and support to Israel in carrying out those heinous crimes. Why the conscience of the US legislators does not wake up and condemn the genocide in Gaza and unprecedented violation of human rights? Their criminal silence on the issue reflects their hypocrisy and insensitivity to the sufferings of millions of Palestinians. One wonders how can the US and its congress boast about their credentials as champions of human rights?
As far as conduct of elections is concerned every country has its own system and the laws governing them. The elections in Pakistan were held in conformity with the law of the land and there exists a state mechanism to deal with the complaints regarding elections. So nobody from outside needs to tell Pakistan what it has to do regarding those complaints and their redress. It is perhaps pertinent to point out the former US President Donald Trump is on record to have said that he was defeated as a result of rigging in the elections. Did Pakistan or any other country ask USA to hold an independent probe into those allegations? The answer is emphatic no. Then how come USA or the Congress believed that they can afford to point an accusing finger at others?
Perhaps it would be pertinent to unravel how this resolution was sponsored and taken up by the US Congress. What the Congress resolution has demanded aligns with the narrative of PTI regarding alleged rigging in the election 2024. The PTI had hired a lobby in the US to propagate its stance and elicit support of US legislators for putting pressure on Pakistan. The political analysts believe that appreciation of the Congress resolution by PTI and its refrain to support national assembly resolution rejecting it amply establishes the nexus between PTI and the US legislators who were behind sponsoring it. This resolution was originally sponsored on 30th November 2023 and was amended on 18 June 2024 after the elections to include the reference to 2024 general elections.
It is indeed regrettable that PTI and its founding chairman have left no stone unturned in maligning the state of Pakistan and its institutions. Imran Khan has contributed articles to the foreign media in which he has levelled serious allegations against the establishment in regards to rigging in the elections and persecution of the party workers without any credible evidence. He also twice wrote to IMF asking it not to give bail-out package to Pakistan which descends into the domain of anti-state activity. That is not how politics is done. Political agendas of the parties have to be subservient to national and state interest while PTI’s conduct regrettably has been contrary to it. The party needs serious rethinking.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Islamabad.
