October 8, 2001	Monday	Rajab 20, 1422

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 7: Pakistan on Sunday expressed hope that the action of allied forces would remain targeted for achieving the aims identified by the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Pakistan’s official reaction to the retaliatory attacks by the United States and British forces against Afghanistan, issued late on Sunday night by the foreign office, was of regret.

Except for a brief statement of foreign office spokesman, no other official made any comment on the developments.

He regretted that diplomatic efforts to convince the Taliban leadership to respond to the international demand did not succeed and military action had started against the Taliban regime.

“Pakistan did whatever it could to convince the Taliban leadership of the gravity of the situation and take the right decision in the interest of the Afghan people.

“It remains our hope that the US and allied action remains clearly targeted to achieve the aims identified by the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and every care will be taken to minimize harm to the Afghan people, who have already suffered ravages of conflict for more than two decades.

“We also hope that the operation will end soon and a concerted international effort will be undertaken to promote national reconciliation and help Afghanistan with economic reconstruction,” the spokesman said.