ISLAMABAD, Nov 19: Pakistan on Monday took serious note of the European Parliament’s latest resolution on the prevailing situation in the country. Reacting to the contents of the resolution, Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Sadiq said: “The resolution is regrettable because it ignores the ground realities and fails to show understanding of the extraordinary situation that necessitated emergency for maintaining political stability and preserving the on-going political process in the country.”

He said: “The European Parliament must take cognizance of the sensitive situation in Pakistan and should not aggravate the ground situation in Pakistan by unrealistic and intrusive demands.”

The spokesperson’s contention was that the emergency was imposed to avert an institutional breakdown and internal crisis that had paralysed the government and had the potential to cause incalculable harm to the country. “The continuation of that situation would have constricted the ability of the government to counter militancy and terrorism that poses a grave threat to Pakistan and the world,” he asserted.

“The government of Pakistan is progressing towards full democratic rule. The National Assembly has completed its full tenure for the first time in its history. A new caretaker government has been instituted, which includes eminent and capable personalities,” he said. The spokesperson said: “Several of the detainees have been released. The print media remains free from any restrictions and most of the electronic media is back on air again.”