Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
19. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of reports of election-rigging in last February’s election in Pakistan; if he has taken the matter up with the government of Pakistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14051/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland aligns with the Statement by the EU High Representative on the general election in Pakistan on 8 February. We support the EU's call on the relevant authorities in Pakistan to ensure a timely and full investigation of all reported election irregularities and to implement the recommendations of the EU Election Expert Mission report. The Department of Foreign Affairs has raised these issues with the Ambassador of Pakistan to Ireland.
Ireland engages regularly with Pakistan on political and human rights issues in the country, at both bilateral and multilateral level. Senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs held bilateral and political consultations with the Pakistani Foreign Ministry in Islamabad on 18 May 2023, during which the domestic political situation and human rights issues were discussed in detail. On 6 March 2024, the EU and Pakistan held their 9th Political Dialogue in Islamabad. At this meeting, the EU underlined that bilateral relations with Pakistan should be built upon the shared values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The EU once again encouraged Pakistan to address the recommendations put forward by the EU Election Expert Mission following the general election. The Embassy of Ireland in Türkiye, which is accredited to Pakistan, continues to monitor the situation in Pakistan closely, in close consultation with the EU Delegation in Islamabad, pending the opening of an Embassy of Ireland in Islamabad later this year.
