The US State Department has raised concern over reports of a lack of journalistic freedom and free expression in Pakistan, with the country's general elections just days away.
Regarding the elections in Pakistan and media freedom, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said Pakistan’s future leadership is for the Pakistani people to decide. "Our interest continues to be in the democratic process. We also have not been ambiguous about how we feel very strongly that free and independent media are vital institutions that undergird healthy democracies by ensuring that an electorate can make informed decisions and hold the government to account. We believe journalists play a critical role in covering fair and transparent elections," he added.
"We also continue to be concerned by any reports that may be out there of restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of association, and the press. That would be—those kinds of things, we believe, are at odds with the Pakistani authorities’ self-stated goal of a fully fair and transparent election."
While talking about Pakistan-Iran tensions, the spokesperson said, "We will let Pakistan speak to its own military operations. Broadly, though, we are of course concerned about escalating tensions in the region, particularly as Iran continues its destabilizing and provocative actions. And we’ll continue to remain in close touch with our Pakistani counterparts, and we’ll continue to monitor the region closely.
The State Department Deputy Spokesperson, while responding to the Iranian Foreign Minister's visit to Pakistan, said, "That is, of course, for Pakistani authorities and their foreign affairs officials to determine. But should any country around the world be interested in continuing to call on Iran to cease its malign and destabilizing activities, particularly in the Red Sea, that are making international waterways and legitimate commerce unsafe, we’d welcome any country continuing to press Iran to curb its support for those kinds of actions."