950813

AHSAN*NINTH

Govt condemns

killing hostage

in Kashmir

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Secretary, speaking on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, has expressed deep shock and anguish on the news of the murder of the Norwegian national, who had been held hostage in Indian-held-Kashmir by an unknown group.

The government, he said, "strongly condemns this barbaric act".

He recalled that the Prime Minister personally and the Government of Pakistan had repeatedly appealed for the unconditional release of the hostages. These and similar appeals by Kashmir leaders had all gone unheeded.

"It is clear that the inhumane kidnapping and the ghastly murder are the acts of forces that are seeking to discredit the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people and to damage their cause. The government of Pakistan urges the unconditional and immediate release of the remaining hostages", the Foreign Secretary said.-APP