ISLAMABAD, June 14: Pakistan on Thursday condemned desecration of the Al-Askari Shrine in Samarra and urged all sides in Iraq to exercise restraint, cautioning them that attacks on places of worship could stir up sectarian strife.

“The people and Government of Pakistan are deeply dismayed at the desecration of the Al-Aksari Shrine in Samarra on 13 June, which has immense spiritual importance for Muslims throughout the world,” the Foreign Office said, adding: “Pakistan condemns this sacrilegious second attack on the holy shrine following its desecration last year, as well as the reprisal attacks in its aftermath on some other places of worship.”

Expressing deep concern over this trend, Pakistan warned that such criminal attacks would inflame sectarian strife and undermine efforts aimed at national reconciliation and harmony. “Pakistan urges all sides in Iraq to exercise restraint, eschew sectarian violence and treat all places of worship and holy shrines with due reverence in accordance with the tenets of Islam,” the Foreign Office said.