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| September 11, 2002 | Wednesday | Rajab 3, 1423 |
FO flays Sinha’s remark
ISLAMABAD, Sept 10: Pakistan on Tuesday hit back at Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha after he described next month’s Pakistani general election as a “sham”.
“It is an irresponsible statement bordering on desperation,” Foreign Office spokesman Aziz Ahmed Khan told AFP.
Sinha told Britain’s Financial Times in an interview published on Tuesday: “Pakistan has had a sham referendum (in April) and is now having sham elections.”
He also expressed “deep disappointment” with the international community, which he said was acquiescing because of fear of who would win a genuinely democratic election in Pakistan.
“I am disappointed that the international community is lapping it up,” Sinha said.
Khan said the Indian foreign minister “has given a verdict on an event that is yet to take place. This reveals a typical mindset”. He added that all political parties would take part in the elections. “Furthermore the entire exercise is open to international observers.”—AFP
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