- Western nations caution Pakistan against election delays, stressing democratic importance.
- Timely elections crucial for bilateral engagement; delays may lead to downgraded ties.
- Delimitation process ongoing; Western countries emphasize fair elections for all parties.
Key Western countries have alerted Pakistan to potential repercussions if parliamentary elections are postponed beyond a specific timeframe. Diplomatic sources revealed the United States and European Union stress the importance of timely elections as a pillar of democracy.
Concerns arise from the possibility of the current caretaker government exceeding its designated tenure. Delimitation based on the new census has caused delays, but Western nations emphasize the significance of on-time elections, warning of potential diplomatic downgrade and strained cooperation if delays persist beyond February.
Amid concerns, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is undergoing the delimitation process and electoral roll updates concurrently, ensuring the election timeline remains intact.
The US Ambassador and other diplomatic sources have underscored the need for free and transparent elections, signaling Western nations’ commitment to democratic values and bilateral engagement based on timely polls and a level playing field for all parties.