By The South Asia Times

WASHINGTON - The US lawmakers demanded the United Nations to oversight the upcoming elections in Pakistan and ensure that it should be free and fair.

During a briefing at the US Congress on human rights and democracy in Pakistan, the lawmakers also sought pledges on election timeframe from Pakistan, according to Daily Dawn.

The tenure of the National Assembly of Pakistan will be completed on August 12 and according to the constitution, the election should be held within 60 days. 

Senator Brad Sherman, a senior US Congressman urged Islamabad not to try civilians in military courts, as the international community would never endorse it.

A missing Pakistani journalist Imran Riaz Khan and PTI worker Khadijah Shah photos were also displayed inside the hall, where a dozen lawmakers spoke about the current situation in Pakistan where according to the opposition party of former prime minister Imran Khan, over 10,000 of its workers and supporters were arrested by authorities after May 9 violent protest across the country after para-military forces arrested Khan in Islamabad.  

“not to wade into Pakistani politics, but to advocate for democracy and human rights,” Dawn quoted Sherman as saying and added that Imran Riaz Khan's family should know where about of Khan where he is right now.

Congressman Eric Swalwell said he had sent a letter to the Pakistani ambassador in Washington about Imran Riaz’s whereabouts, as he wanted to see him return home. “We pick no sides. We are on the side of democracy and human rights,” he said.

While other senators urged Pakistan to announce the date of the elections and said there should be arrangements to ensure free and fair elections in the South Asian country.

The event was also attended by officials from the Department of State and the Pakistan embassy in Washington. 

Congressmen Sherman, Costa and others urged the Pakistani government to announce an election date and allow international monitoring to ensure the process is “free, fair and transparent,” Congressman Mfume added: “The oversight should come from the United Nations,” according to Dawn.