Aware of attack on media houses in Pakistan: Mark Toner

WASHINGTON: Spokesperson for the US State Department, Mark Toner, said on Wednesday that the US was aware of reports regarding attacks on media houses in Pakistan. 

During a press briefing, Mark Toner said the United States encouraged and appreciated negotiations between both nuclear armed states India and Pakistan. He urged both nations to work with patience for the strategic stability of the region. Mark Toner said that India has to respond to Pakistan's suggestion of signing the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). He said that the only practical way to adopt was that both countries sign the treaty.

In response to a question, Mark Toner said that the United States was aware of reports and news of attacks on media houses in Pakistan, arrests of MQM's workers and supporters as well as sealing the headquarters of the party, Nine Zero.

Mark Toner stated that in a democratic society, criticism should be encouraged rather than silenced. He said that democracies obtained strength through criticism hence protests of any type should be conducted in a peaceful manner.

On Monday, MQM chief Altaf Hussain instigated supporters of his party to attack news channels in Pakistan with an inflammatory, anti-Pakistan speech. Following his address, scores of MQM supporters attacked the office of ARY News and also indulged in vandalizing, arson. Rangers and law enforcement agencies sealed all of MQM's offices across Sindh including headquarter Nine Zero.