EU poll mission slashed over cold reception in Pak

Criticising the Pakistan Government for according it a ‘‘cool’’ reception and its reluctance to extend an official invit...

Criticising the Pakistan Government for according it a ‘‘cool’’ reception and its reluctance to extend an official invitation to it, the European Union Poll Monitoring Mission has said this prompted it to slash its team of observers to 70 from 164.

‘‘The mission received a very cool reception. At various occasions, the ministry of foreign affairs, the ministry of information and chief election commissioner stated the mission would not receive a formal invitation and no memorandum of understanding would be signed,’’ the ten-member EU poll team led by Irish Parliamentarian John Cushnahan, said in its interim report.

	Rocca in Karachi to relocate consulate
ISLAMABAD: US Assistant Secretary of State, Christina Rocca arrived in Karachi on Sunday to discuss the security arrangements to re-locate the US Consulate there which came under bomb attack from the Islamic militants in June this year. (PTI) Story continues below this ad

Five weeks after the mission has started its observation work, no visible progress has been made on these issues, it said in its report, excerpts of which were published by the local newspaper daily Times Today.

The report said the government has also refused to accord any security protection to the mission asking it to make private arrangements.

‘‘Nor has the mission so far been given official accreditation by the Election Commission, though one has been promised close to the elections. Mission officials operate with their EU identity cards which have a stamp at the back from the Ministry of Information,’’ it said.

The publication of the report follows President Musharraf’s meeting with a delegation of EU and Scandinavian diplomats on Saturday, during which he reiterated his commitment to hold ‘‘free, fair and transparent’’ elections. According to the official media, Musharraf has promised all possible assistance to the observers.

Story continues below this ad

The final report to be submitted by the team would be debated by the EU Parliament and would take a fresh look at EU’s policy towards Pakistan. The EU has appointed its biggest ever poll monitoring mission of 164 members.

EAM Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Rubio hold bilateral discussions in New York

India33 min ago

Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar and US Senator Rubio met in New York to discuss the 25% tariff on Indian oil imposed by Trump. This was their first in-person meeting since the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting. India and the US also began talks for a trade agreement, with positive discussions during a recent visit by US trade officials to India.

View all shorts

Live Blog