Pakistan government has accused former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of issuing statements on the killing of Baloch tribal leader Nawab Akbar Bugti after a chance meeting with Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee in France.
Without naming Sharif, Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani said "certain politicians living abroad had issued statements on the Balochistan situation after meetings with the Indian leadership."
Durrani said he "regretted" that statements were being made after meeting with Indian leaders, without directly referring to the September 5 meeting between Mukherjee, who was on a visit to France and Germany, and Sharif at a Paris hotel where both were staying.
"Such developments are not only unfortunate but also reflect the immature attitude of these politicians. The media statements on the Balochistan situation by the Indian leadership also substantiate the apprehensions of involvement of a foreign hand in the Balochistan crisis," he was today quoted as saying in local media reports.
Sharif had told reporters in Paris after the brief interaction with Mukherjee that Bugti died in a "targeted killing" as army helicopters were used in the operation.
Durrani claimed the government had offered Bugti's family to attend his funeral as also a DNA test on his body.
{{/usCountry}}Durrani claimed the government had offered Bugti's family to attend his funeral as also a DNA test on his body.
{{/usCountry}}"The government had offered the family of Akbar Bugti to participate in his funeral rites. We are ready to extend every possible cooperation under the law for conducting the DNA test of Akbar Bugti's body."
He also claimed that the law and order situation in Balochistan and other parts of the country was improving, despite plans by "some elements" to worsen it.