US diplomat Donald Lu to testify on Feb 8 polls before Congress

• Hearing on fairness of Feb 8 polls to take place on March 20. 
• Matthew Miller says testifying is important part of their job. 
• Miller adds cipher allegations against Donald Lu are "false". 

WASHINGTON: Assistant Secretary of the US Department of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, has been called to testify on the fairness of Pakistan's general elections, held on February 8, before a Congress panel. 

The hearing will take place on March 20 and Lu's testimony will be important as he has been accused by former prime minister Imran Khan of being involved in the toppling of his government in 2022. 

The hearing named "Pakistan After the Elections: Examining the Future of Democracy in Pakistan and the US-Pakistan Relationship” will be convened by the subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. 

State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, during a press briefing on Thursday, responded to a query, saying that any number of State Department officials testify all the time before Congress.

"We see it as an important part of our jobs to help Congress do its job, both from a policymaking perspective and from an oversight perspective," said Miller. 

He added that the State Department always looks forward to both the informal and formal conversations with Congress and the actual testimony officials provide. 

The hearing comes after political parties in Pakistan including PTI, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) alleged that the elections held on February 8 were rigged with the Imran Khan-founded claiming that their mandate was stolen. 

Since the February 8 polls, PTI has been protesting and holding demonstrations to reclaim their mandate from the now-ruling government. 

The results of the election were surprising as not a single party secured a majority to form a government and at least 90 independent candidates supported by the PTI won the elections. They later joined the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) to claim the seats reserved for female candidates and minorities.

To another query about Lu's alleged involvement in the cipher controversy and his security concerns, the spokesperson said that the allegations against him are "false".

They’ve always been false. You’ve heard me say that more than once, more than twice, more than ten times probably," he said, adding that the State Department takes threats towards US officials seriously and condemn any effort to threaten the safety and security of the diplomats.