ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government on Tuesday swiftly condemned the assassination of Burhanuddin Rabbani, describing him as a "friend" with whom Islamabad was working closely on peace efforts.
The statement was released jointly by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, just days after the United States accused the Pakistani government of having ties to Taliban faction the Haqqani network.
"The people of Pakistan stand by their Afghan brothers and sisters in this moment of grief," the joint statement said.
"Rabbani was a friend of Pakistan with whom we were working closely within the Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Commission for Reconciliation and Peace on a vision for peace and prosperity in Afghanistan," both the leaders said.
On Sunday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pressed Pakistan to take action against al Qaeda-linked Haqqani militants, whose leadership is based in Pakistan's tribal belt and are blamed for a 20-hour siege in Kabul last week.
Clinton met Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar for 3.5 hours of "very substantial" and "very candid" talks in New York that began and ended with counter-terrorism, Clinton spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.
A senior State Department official also told reporters on condition of anonymity that the talks began and ended with concerns about the Taliban-allied Haqqani network Washington suspects receives Pakistani government support.
COMMENTS (15)
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Rabbani has been killed by partisan in Taliban who don't want peace.
A message to the Infidel?Or a message to the Northern Alliance?After the departure of US Forces this country will be the 5th province of Pakistan.
@Tauqir Fatima:
I agree
@Babloo:
Babloo betha, we're as much confused as you are. I can't tell friends from foes any more. Our past and current governments have messed things (because they're all retards) so badly that nobody seems capable of putting things back on track.
There will be more conspiracy theories in days to come. This killing will set their grinding mills busy from now on
Let's face the truth and use some simple logic. Rabbani was assasinated by the Haqqani terrorists. Haqqani group is the strategic asset of Paksitani establsihment and takes orders from the ISI. Now you can figure out who was behind the attack.
@rehmat
US kill people with drones when they want a credit for themselves. US kills people with turban bombers when they want blame to go to Pakistan.
Rabbani was doing something which US/NATO were against and Pakistan/Afghanistan were perusing.
@Roflcopter: "No wonder he got killed by US" If he was killed by drones, you can blame US. If he is killed by turban bomb, you have to be delusional to blame it on US..
So Haqannis are strategic assets of the establishment, who are trying to kill Afghans like Burhanuddin Rabanni and Pakistan government is claiming that Rabanni was their friend ? Who is bigger , strategic asset or friend ? Why I am so confused ?
Muslims killing Muslims and blaming others. Nothing new at all.
I strongly believe it is a work of USA through Talibans.
Lets see who gets the final blame.... lets hope it is not termed as friendly fire.
"PAK was working closely with him for peace and stability of Afghanistan. He was a friend."
Taliban / Haqqani factions killed him. What does it tell anyone in Pakistan?
Who in Pakistan still insisting that we should invite these idiots to smoke peace pipe?
"Islamabad was working closely with Rabbani on peace efforts." No wonder he got killed by US.
May his soul rest in peace.... Killers r none other than the enemies of Afghanistan & Pakistan!!