Ban raises concerns over Pak political turmoil

Updated at: 0700 PST, Saturday, March 14, 2009

UNITED NATIONS: Voicing concern over the political crisis in Pakistan, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Friday called on Pakistan’s leaders -- whether in power or in the opposition—to resolve their differences through an “honest dialogue.” “The Secretary-General is concerned about the current political and security situation in Pakistan,” UN Associate spokesman Farhan Haq said in response to a question at the regular noon briefing. The spokesman said, “Pakistan’s leaders, whether in power or in the opposition, have the responsibility first and foremost to ensure the safety and security of the Pakistani people. Any action that they undertake should bear this in mind. The Secretary-General calls upon Pakistan’s leaders to solve all their differences through an honest dialogue to be able to deal with the multitude of challenges the country and the region face”.