We are in touch with US authorities & await further details regarding the arrest of Asif Raza Merchant: Mumtaz Zahra Baloch

ISLAMABAD, August 07 (SABAH): In response to queries regarding media reports of the alleged involvement of a Pakistani national in connection with a foiled assassination attempt in United States, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has said that we have seen the media reports regarding the arrest of Pakistani citizen Asif Raza Merchant, 46, in a “murder-for-hire” plot as “part of a scheme to assassinate a US politician or government officials on US soil.”

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that we are in touch with the US authorities and await further details. We have also noted the statements by US officials that this is an ongoing investigation, she said.

Foreign Office Spokesperson said that before giving our formal reaction, we also need to be sure of the antecedents of the individual in question.