Pakistan coveys its concerns to US over Senate hearing on 'internal' Balochistan issue

Malaysia Sun (ANI) Friday 10th February, 2012

Pakistan has said that it has conveyed its concerns to America about a discussion on Balochistan by a US Senate Committee.

"We have conveyed our concern in Islamabad and Washington on the issue of discussion on Balochistan by US Senate Foreign Relations' Committee and expressed our feelings," the Daily Times quoted Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit, as saying.

The spokesman, while referring to the statement of the US State Department, said that it had explained that the US government had nothing to do with this briefing.

"We believe that Washington fully understands our position on this issue," he said.

The US House Committee conducted a hearing on Balochistan on Wednesday, where Balochistan was declared a troubled area that was of little benefit as far as the development of natural gas and other natural resources were concerned.

The US State Department disassociated itself from the congressional hearing regarding the Balochistan issue and opposed the idea of independent Balochistan, adding that the problems of the province should be resolved through peaceful and political way.

State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said that the US was not a supporter of autonomy for Balochistan.

Pakistan has always kept Washington at a distance on the Balochistan issue by refusing to grant it permission to open a consulate in Quetta. (ANI)