The Australian government has said it was “regrettable” that Pakistanis were “restricted in their choice” of voting during the elections.

In a statement shared by Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Neil Hawkins, the government noted that “not all political parties were allowed to contest these elections”.

It, however, welcomed the “increase in the number of women registered to vote and the fact that millions of Pakistanis chose to vote”.

“Australia supports a democratic, stable and prosperous Pakistan which upholds its commitments to democratic principles including human rights, media freedoms, freedom of expression, and freedom of association,” the statement said.