US accused of meddling in B'stan affairs

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad on Monday accused Washington of meddling in the restive southwestern province of Baluchistan, terming it as an interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs, a foreign ministry spokesman said.

The ministry said the US Charge d’Affairs, Richard Hoagland, was officially conveyed the government’s serious concern over a US Congressional hearing last week on the Baluchistan issue.

“The Charge d’Affairs was informed that this was unacceptable as it amounted to interference in the internal affairs of the country,” a foreign ministry statement said.

Pakistan’s Baluchistan province suffers from violence linked to the Taleban, sectarian extremists and Baluch rebels, who rose up in 2004 for political autonomy and a greater share of the region’s oil, gas and mineral deposits.

Local security officials are often accused of human rights violations.

Victoria Nuland, spokesperson for the State Department, underlined last week that this hearing did not reflect the US position on Baluchistan. “The State Department is not participating or involved in this hearing”, she said.

“We emphasise that the United States engages with Pakistan on a whole range of issues, including ways to foster economic development and expand opportunity in Baluchistan”, she emphasised.