WASHINGTON, Feb 12: The US today said it respects the territorial integrity of Pakistan and does not support independence for Balochistan.
“The United States respects the territorial integrity of Pakistan. It is not the policy of the Administration to support independence for Balochistan,” the State Department said in a written response to a question raised during its daily press briefing.
The State Department said it is aware of the comments of a Republican lawmaker from Texas, who in an interview to an American media outlet had said that the best solution to the Afghan problem would be to carve out a separate and independent Baluchistan out of Pakistan.
“Members of Congress express a wide range of views. Such comments do not in any way imply US government endorsement,” the State Department said.
Balochistan, the southwestern province of Pakistan, is wracked by Islamist violence and a long-running ethnic separatist insurgency. (AGENCIES)
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