Moratorium on executions is Pakistan's internal matter: US

Washington, Dec 24: The US has termed lifting of the moratorium on executions as an internal matter of Pakistan but expressed concern over granting of bail to the Mumbai terror attack accused Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, a Pakistani daily reported Wednesday.

In a briefing, US State Department spokesperson Marie Harf said Pakistan is the most affected country in the war against terrorism and lifting the moratorium on executions is its internal matter, The News International reported.

Harf said US President Barack Obama and Secretary John Kerry both spoke to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after the Peshawar school attack and stood ready to provide assistance in the wake of that horrific attack.

Regarding the bail granted to Mumbai terror attack accused Lakhvi, Harf said the US government is concerned over it.

The Pakistan government had pledged its cooperation in bringing the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks to justice, the US spokesperson said, adding that she hoped Pakistan would uphold that promise.

Harf added that terrorism is a threat for both the US and Pakistan and they had worked jointly to counter this menace.

IANS