US State Department principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said that the United States is monitoring Pakistan’s electoral process quite closely. Briefing the newsmen in Washington, Vedant Patel said: “We want to see that process take place in a way that facilitates broad participation with respect for freedom of expression, assembly, and associations.” He expressed concern over incidents of violence and restrictions on media freedom; freedom of expression, including internet freedom; and peaceful assembly and association.
