US slams ex-ISI chief for blaming it for Bhutto’s assassination

ISLAMABAD - The United States has strongly objected to statements made by former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Hamid Gul, who had blamed the US for former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination.

US’ Islamabad Embassy’s spokesperson, Richard Snelsire, criticised Gul for blaming Washington for the attack on Bhutto, and said such remarks were baseless and false.

“Lieutenant General (r) Hamid Gul has repeatedly asserted the outrageous and baseless claim that the US government was involved in the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. The United States rejects this, and other false allegations regularly made by Gul about its policies and activities,” a statement issued by Snelsire said.

Snelsire was also critical of the television journalists for failing to present a balanced view during the programme in which Gul had attacked the US.

“Despite the fact that Gul gave no proof for his allegations against the US, his statements were not challenged by any of the TV hosts who invited him to their programmes,” The Daily Times quoted Snelsire, as saying.

He also denounced the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leadership for holding the US responsible for this week’s suicide attack in Peshawar in which 24 people were killed and over 45 wounded.

“The US rejects such absurd, baseless allegations. The violent extremists who committed the vicious terror attacks in Peshawar have made it clear that they seek to kill as many innocent Pakistani citizens, soldiers and law enforcement officials as possible,” Snelsire said. (ANI)