
Pakistan on Friday criticised US presidential hopeful Barack Obama for saying that, if elected, he might order unilateral military strikes inside this Islamic nation to root out terrorists.
8220;It8217;s a very irresponsible statement, that8217;s all I can say,8221; Pakistan8217;s Foreign Minister Khusheed Kasuri told AP Television News. 8220;As the election campaign in America is heating up we would not like American candidates to fight their elections and contest elections at our expense.8221;
Obama triggered anger in Pakistan when he said in a speech on Wednesday that as president he would order US military action against terrorists in Pakistan8217;s tribal region bordering Afghanistan if intelligence warranted it.
8220;There are terrorists holed up in those mountains who murdered 3,000 Americans. They are plotting to strike again,8221; Obama said. 8220;If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf will not act, we will.8221;
Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azim said no foreign forces would be allowed to enter Pakistan, and called Obama irresponsible.