The US State Department has stressed that claims of “interference or fraud” in the February 8 general elections must be fully and transparently investigated as per Pakistan’s laws and procedures.

Spokesperson Matthew Miller passed these remarks while responding to a question about rigging allegations by former Rawalpindi commissioner Liaqat Ali Chattha.

To a question regarding the PTI’s mandate, he said: “I don’t want to get into an internal Pakistani matter, which I very much believe that the formation of a new government is. But – so that’s a matter that I will leave to Pakistan. But as I said, when it comes to – any claims of interference or allegations of irregularities, we want to see those fully investigated.”

On the recent suspension of X (formerly Twitter) in Pakistan, Miller said the US wanted to see full internet freedom around the world “and that includes the availability of platforms that people use to communicate each other”.

“We want internet platforms to be available to people in Pakistan and around the world,” he added.