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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday strongly condemned the burning of Qurans at a US airbase in Afghanistan, saying it was important that “utterly irresponsible and reprehensible things do not recur”.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan, we condemn in strongest possible terms the desecration of Holy Quran in Afghanistan,” foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Basit told a press briefing in Islamabad.
“It is absolutely important that such utterly irresponsible and reprehensible things do not recur,” he added.
BALOCHISTAN The foreign ministry spokesman said there is evidence of foreign interference to destablize the situation in Balochistan.
Without naming the country, he said Pakistan does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries and it expects the same from the international community.
He said Pakistan is fully cognizant of the problems in the province and trying to tackle the internal issue politically.
The spokesman said Pakistan considers the US resolution as arrogant step and ignorance on the part of few US legislatures.
KHAR-CLINTON MEETING Responding to a question about Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in London, Basit said the two sides discussed the whole range of issues.
Describing the meeting as positive and constructive, he said Pakistan-US relations are important and efforts are being made to make it more transparent and predictable.
He said at present the parliamentary process is underway to determine new terms of engagements with the US.
He hoped the parliamentary process will complete by the mid of March and the country will move forward in the light of those guidelines.
DRONE STRIKES: To a question about drone attacks, the spokesman while terming them as unlawful and unacceptable said Islamabad has been raising this issue with Washington bilaterally.
He said the drone strikes are counter productive in the war against terrorism.
When asked about the US pressure on Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project, the spokesman said Washington has their concerns on the project but we will pursue the course that is in the best national interest.
