Pak summons US envoy to protest against Congress resolution on Balochistan

Islamabad, Feb 21 (ANI): The Pakistan Foreign Office summoned acting American envoy on Monday to lodge a strong protest over a US Congress resolution that sought the right to self-determination for Balochistan.

"Ambassador Richard Hoagland was told in clear terms that the move in the US Congress was contrary to the spirit of friendly relations and violative of the principles of the United Nations Charter, international law and recognised norms of inter-state conduct," The Express Tribune quoted a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, as saying.

Pakistan's top leadership had expressed outrage over the weekend against the resolution moved in the US House of Representatives by Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani describing the move as an attack on the country's sovereignty.

"We condemn it as it is against our sovereignty," Gilani said.

The Pakistan Foreign Office described the mover of the bill as being 'oblivious to the ground situation' and expressed the hope that the move would never succeed, the Daily Times reports.

It said that presentation of the bill was in violation of the international laws and showed a 'highly irresponsible attitude' on the part of Congressman Rohrabacher. week after he chaired a Congressional committee's hearing on Balochistan, Congressman Rohrabacher said that the Baloch should be given their right of self-determination and to their own sovereign country, The Express Tribune reports.

The House Concurrent Resolution in the US House of Representatives was co-sponsored by Representatives Louie Gohmert and Steve King. It highlighted the history of Balochistan, and says that revolts in 1958, 1973 and 2005 "indicate continued popular discontent against rule by Islamabad, and the plunder of its vast natural wealth while Baluchistan remains the poorest province in Pakistan."

The text says that there is also an insurgency underway in Sistan-Balochistan, which is being repressed by Iran.

Congressman Rohrabacher's resolution says that it is the US policy to "oppose aggression and the violation of human rights inherent in the subjugation of national groups as currently being shown in Iran and Pakistan against the aspirations of the Baloch people." (ANI)