US Congressional delegations will monitor Pak general elections

Washington, Feb 15 : Two US Congressional delegations, including senior lawmakers from both the Senate and the House of Representatives, will observe the February 18 elections in Pakistan.

The delegates are likely to call on Pakistani leadership, political leaders and meet officials of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Underlining the importance of "historic" elections in Pakistan, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, co-chair of Pakistani Congressional Caucus (PGC) said she looks forward to observing Pakistan "take its first steps on the road to democracy once again."

Jackson Lee will lead an official observer delegation to that country.

Chairman of the US Foreign Relations Committee and Democratic senator, Joseph Biden, another Democrat John Kerry and Republican senator Chuck Hagel will also be the part of delegation that will travel to Pakistan.

While observing that the upcoming parliamentary elections need to represent a step forward toward democracy, Hagel said: "Pakistan is approaching a defining moment."

"It is in every nation's interest to have a stable and secure Pakistan," the Daily Times quoted him, as saying.

ANI