HC murder bid will not affect ties - Pakistan

Rajmi Manatunga in Islamabad

Pakistan: The Pakistan Government will not allow terrorist activities to affect its friendly relations with Sri Lanka, Pakistani Foreign Secretary Riyaz Mohomad Khan said.

Responding to a query from the Sri Lankan media on the recent assassination attempt on outgoing Pakistan High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Khan said that the incident will not have any adverse impact on bilateral relations between the two countries.

Asked as to whether the Pakistan Government has identified the possible culprits of the failed assassination bid, Khan said it was too early to come to a conclusion on the matter.

"We are relying on the investigations carried out by the Sri Lankan Government on the incident. The culprits could be identified once we receive the final report of the probe," he said.

Khan said Pakistan believed that a political settlement was the solution to Sri Lanka's long-drawn ethnic conflict.

"It is unfortunate that Sri Lanka which is a unique country with great potential to develop is facing this situation. We are of the view that a political solution is needed to address this problem.

"Of course there are times when military action is unavoidable. But finally, it is through a political arrangement that the problem could be solved," he said.

He said that the Pakistani Government was of the view that the next Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) should be selected from an Asian country.

Asked as to which candidate would receive the support of Pakistan in the run-up to the election of the next Secretary General, Khan said that the Pakistan Government was still observing the candidates and events at the UN Security Council.

"There are a number of candidates from Asian countries contesting for the post this time. While Pakistan will not field a candidate, the decision as to who should receive our support will depend upon the activities going on at the Security Council," he added.