ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) on Monday strongly rejected Indian media reports alleging Pakistan's involvement in the recent Dhaka attack in which 20 foreigners were killed.
In a statement, FO Spokesman Nafees Zakaria termed the allegations baseless and the reporting of such stories in Indian media "highly regrettable".
A section of India media had reported that Bangladesh Information Minister Hasanul Haq and Adviser to Bangladesh Prime Minister Gowher Rizvi blamed Pakistan and its intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) for the attacks.
"These stories are utterly baseless and unfounded. Pakistan strongly rejects such allegations," the FO spokesman added.
Zakaria said Pakistan deeply appreciates Gowher Rizvi's timely rebuttal to Indian media’s reports.
Rizvi contacted Pakistan’s high commissioner to Bangladesh and confirmed that the Bangladeshi government did not issue any such statement regarding Pakistan and that Indian media reports in this regard are false.
He also advised Pakistan’s high commissioner to convey this clarification to the government of Pakistan in order to avoid any misunderstanding between the two countries.
Pakistan has strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Dhaka and expressed solidarity with the government and the people of Bangladesh, and offered condolences to the families of the victims.
The FO said that Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
"Being a victim of terrorism itself, Pakistan welcomes Prof. Gowher Rizvi’s call for international cooperation to fight the menace of terrorism."
