ISLAMABAD, April 16: Pakistan on Wednesday expressed “shock” at the burning of the Holy Quran library in Baghdad and the destruction of priceless treasures of the national archives and demanded the early establishment of public order in Iraq.

“The government of Pakistan expresses shock and dismay at the reported burning of the library of the Holy Qurans in Baghdad,” a foreign ministry statement said.

The library, built in 1961 and home to Iraq’s national archives, was torched over the weekend.

An reporter who visited the site on Sunday said the Iraq National Library, which houses a number of rare volumes, was in flames after being ransacked.

Earlier, the National Museum of Iraq, which housed a major collection of antiquities from the cradle of civilization, was partially looted on Friday amid a breakdown in order following the collapse of Saddam Hussein’s regime.

The Pakistani foreign ministry regretted that “despite warnings, looting was not curbed in time.”

It said Pakistan was also “deeply concerned” at the looting of the national museum which housed numerous invaluable artefacts and items of archaeological importance.

“The Mesopotamian civilization, which interacted with our Indus valley civilisation is among the cradles of human society,” the statement said.

“International law and accepted standards demand protection be given to such treasures that are a common heritage of mankind,” it said.—AFP