Pakistan apologizes for Chinese engineers' deaths
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-20 15:57

Pakistan's president apologized Monday for the killing of three Chinese engineers by tribal militants in Pakistan, saying the attack brought "shame" on his country and promising the harshest punishment.

Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, left, salutes as he arrives at the airport in Beijing on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2006. Musharraf will be in China for a five-day visit aimed at boosting economic and energy cooperation between the two countries. [AP]

"The man in the street (in Pakistan) loves the Chinese," President Gen. Pervez Musharraf told Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo during a meeting in Beijing.

Musharraf, who arrived in neighboring China on Sunday for a five-day visit aimed at increasing business ties — and possibly working on a free trade deal — between the longtime close allies, also expressed Pakistan's "regret and condolences" over the killings.

"It is a shame of the country," he said.

He earlier promised the "strongest and harshest punishment" for the attackers, said China's official Xinhua News Agency.

A militant tribal group in southwestern Pakistan's Baluchistan province claimed responsibility for last week's drive-by shooting that killed the three Chinese engineers, who were working at a cement factory, and their Pakistani driver.

Pakistan has since detained 50 suspects in the attack.

Scores of attacks in Pakistan in recent years have been blamed on militants demanding more royalties for resources from their territories, and opposing an increased military presence there.

China had earlier demanded punishment for the attackers, but says the killing won't affect the two countries' warm relations.

The visit was Musharraf's third to China. Pakistan media reports have said he hoped to sign numerous documents Monday aimed at further developing trade and infrastructure cooperation.

Musharraf was also scheduled to meet his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and other senior officials.