US says continues to support fair polls in Pakistan

WASHINGTON: The US Department of State on Monday reiterated that it continues to support free and fair elections in Pakistan.

During the daily briefing the State Department’s spokesperson highlighted that the US engages with Pakistan on a bilateral basis to discuss “our support for free and fair elections”, adding that “we don’t take any position when it comes to political parties in Pakistan and we will engage with the leaders that the Pakistani people select.” 

Responding to a question about the Pakistani Army Chief’s visit to the US and his engagements, the spokesperson said that the army chief was in Washington to meet with a number of officials including officials at the State Department, at the Pentagon and elsewhere. Explaining the substance of those meetings, the spokesperson said, “Pakistan is a major non-Nato ally of the United States and a Nato partner. We look forward to partnering with them on regional security and defense cooperation.”