Contrary to diplomatic norms, US envoy in Islamabad Cameron Munter on Friday expressed deep concern over the ongoing bloodshed in Karachi and also urged the parties involved to refrain from further violence.
“The United States embassy is deeply concerned about the escalating violence in Karachi. We call on all parties to refrain from further violence and work toward a peaceful resolution of differences,” ambassador Munter said, in a statement issued here by US embassy.
“The loss of over 60 lives, including women and children, in the last three days is a tragedy. We extend condolences to the families and friends of the innocent victims.”
The Foreign Ministry kept silent on the unprecedented move of the US ambassador.
Repeated efforts to reach Foreign Office spokeswoman Tehmina Janjua on telephone failed.
However, another official in the Foreign Office said no doubt the ambassador Munter’s statement was against diplomatic norms and tantamount to interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs.
He said in the past the US embassy had issued statements condemning suicide bombings and other acts of sabotage in Pakistan but it was a first on the situation in Karachi.
“Ambassador Munter has not only expressed concern over the killings in Karachi but he also asked the parties involved to refrain from further violence which has never been the case before. He is not supposed to issue such statements,” the official said.
He said the matter would be deliberated upon at the FO level very soon but whether it would be taken up with the US authorities or not, it was something to be decided by the government.
The statement by US ambassador also led to anguish among the political circles and they dubbed it blatant interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs. However, they also said it was the failure of the government’s foreign policy that had led to such a disgraceful situation.
PML-N Senator Pervez Rashid said no doubt such statements were unwarranted but he would blame the whole nation including the government for a failure to take care of its own affairs that provided an opportunity to others to poke their noses in our affairs.
JI Naib Ameer Liaqat Baloch said Munter’s statement was interference in Pakistan’s internal matters.
