Pakistan on Tuesday decided to skip the Second Summit for Democracy in Washington, believing that the process was somehow now at the “advanced stage and it is better to engage the United States and its co-hosts bilaterally for promoting and strengthening democratic principles and values.”
According to the Foreign Office, Pakistan has not been part of the summit, which commenced in 2021 and required the countries to make certain national commitments.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra said Pakistan was thankful to the US and co-host countries for extending invitations for the Summit being held on 29-30 March.
The matter related to Pakistan’s participation in the second Summit was part of the discussion in various circles of the country as it possibly could upset China, which along with Turkiye, had not been invited by the hosts.
Pakistan also opted out of the first Summit for Democracy when it was invited in 2021. However, India attended the first summit, and it is likely that New Delhi will again participate.
