WASHINGTON: Pakistan has termed Congressional hearing on Balochistan an ill-advised move which will be detrimental to building trust with the United States.

Pakistan’s Ambassador Sherry Rehman forcefully raised the issue in her meetings with members of Congress and senior officials of the US administration, an embassy spokesman in Washington said.

Ms Rehman said the government of Pakistan strongly rejected the purpose and findings of the hearing and considered it an“ill-advised and ill-considered” move that would have serious repercussions for Pak-US relations.

“Balochistan is an integral part of the Pakistani federation,” she said.

The ambassador said: “Pakistan is a democracy conducting itself in accordance with international law. The popularly elected Pakistani parliament and the provincial assembly of Balochistan, the independent judiciary, a vigorous media and a thriving civilsociety are all avenues for expression and seeking redress of grievances, political and economic.”

She said the Pakistan government had a strong commitment to protecting fundamental rights and freedoms in all parts of Pakistan, including Balochistan, and had initiated an extensive package of constitutional and other reforms to empower all citizens in the continuing consolidation of democracy.

The hearing was marked by a “blatant disregard for history and inflammatory use of selective facts”, she added.—APP