Condemning the twin blasts in Pakistan that killed 25 people and injured 65 others, the US on Wednesday said there was no justification for such attacks.
Expressing hope that the country would hold free and fair polls to fight extremism, deputy spokesman of US States Department Tom Casey said, "We certainly want to continue to work with Pakistan government to confront extremism.
We expect to see the holding of free, fair and transparent elections that allows the people to have a choice among all the various legitimate political factions in that country."
The senior official avoided to comment on the decision of the Pakistani Supreme Court on former prime minister Nawaz Sharif saying Washington likes to see all legitimate political actors have the opportunity to express themselves.
What we want to see that all the legitimate political parties and actors in that country have an opportunity to express themselves, he said, adding Pakistani people have a real choice among legitimate political parties that do not espouse violence or support extremism.
Casey, when asked whether the recent attacks in the country is a sign of retaliation by the extremists, said, "Well, I don't think it took the crackdown on the Red Mosque for President Musharraf to be subject to attacks from violent extremists in Pakistan.
"Look, do we expect anywhere in the world, whether it's Pakistan or any place else, that those who are committed to violence and extremism will try and fight back against our efforts against them? Certainly, I think that goes without saying," Casey said.
{{/usCountry}}"Look, do we expect anywhere in the world, whether it's Pakistan or any place else, that those who are committed to violence and extremism will try and fight back against our efforts against them? Certainly, I think that goes without saying," Casey said.
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