August 09, 2007	Thursday	Rajab 24, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Aug 8: The government moved swiftly on Wednesday to distance itself from the startling assertions made by the parliamentary secretary for defence during the National Assembly debate on foreign policy the other day that created quite a stir in the official, political and diplomatic circles.

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Maj (retd) Tanveer Hussain Syed alleged that the CIA, RAW and Khad were behind the recent killings of Chinese nationals in Pakistan and advocated the need for ‘jihad’ against the US and India.

In what was seen as a damage-control move by the Pakistan Foreign Office its spokesperson declared that his remarks did not represent the official view. “These were individual views and do not represent the government policy,” Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said.

The spokesperson’s statement coincided with a strong reaction from the American embassy on the parliamentary secretary’s remarks against the US in the NA.

“These statements are outrageous and highly reprehensible. The parliamentarian has levelled allegations that were completely unfounded and irresponsible,” the US Embassy Spokesperson Elizabeth Colton said.—Q.A.