RAWALPINDI: An official spokesman has deplored the tendency on the part of certain sections of the international Press to distort and caricature … the internal happenings in Pakistan and said that their description of the situation resulting from the eruption of a sectarian conflict in May was unrealistic and intended to damage the image of this country.

In a statement issued here today [June 22], he said at a time of tumult and vehemence graver happenings in other countries were viewed in proportion and perspective, but a disturbance in Pakistan which could have been far worse was projected as though it was a cataclysm. The spokesman described as baseless the allegations that the Government had failed in protecting its citizens and the law-enforcement agencies had acted half-heartedly. ...

He said the Government had lost no time in fulfilling its … duty to provide full protection to its every citizen irrespective of his creed as guaranteed by the Constitution and all measures were taken for this purpose. … The tendentious reports which have been recently given currency by foreign media have understandably agitated members of the Pakistani community living [abroad]. — News agencies

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2024