By The South Asia Times

WASHINGTON - The US on Friday welcomed the elections in Pakistan but urged the authorities to investigate the allegations of interference in the electoral process.

In a statement, the State Department said that millions of Pakistanis made their voices heard by voting in Pakistan’s elections on February 8, with record numbers of Pakistani women, members of religious and ethnic minority groups, and youth registered.

"We commend Pakistani poll workers, civil society, journalists and election observers for their work to protect and uphold Pakistan’s democratic and electoral institutions. We now look forward to timely, complete results that reflect the will of the Pakistani people," it said.

"We join credible international and local election observers in their assessment that these elections included undue restrictions on freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. We condemn electoral violence, restrictions on the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including attacks on media workers, and restrictions on access to the Internet and telecommunication services, and are concerned about allegations of interference in the electoral process. Claims of interference or fraud should be fully investigated.

"The United States is prepared to work with the next Pakistani government, regardless of political party, to advance our shared interests. We look forward to bolstering our partnership by supporting Pakistan’s economy through trade and investment. We will continue to support Pakistan strengthening its democratic institutions, engage through the U.S.-Pakistan Green Alliance Framework, broaden people-to-people ties, and promote human rights including freedom of expression. We are also committed to strengthening our security cooperation and creating an environment of safety and security that affords the Pakistani people the peace, democracy, and progress they deserve," it added.

Pakistan held its general election on Thursday where so far incarcerated former premier Imran Khan's party PTI-backed independent candidates leading with 100 seats, followed by PMLN 71, PPP 54 .

However, PMLN leader and former premier Nawaz Sharif attempting to make alliance with PPP, JUI and MQM and form his government.

PTI also accused the authorities to changed the results and defeated their candidates who won their seats but results announced in favour of PMLN. 

Nawaz Sharif is consider the favourit of the country's powerful military establishement,, who brought from London and courts cleared him from all cases.