Sunday, May 15 2005 09:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Expressing "profound shock and dismay" over the alleged desecration of the Quran at the US prison in Guantanamo Bay, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz yesterday (May 14, 2005) emphasised the need for a thorough investigation in this regard.

Musharraf and Aziz expressed "profound shock and dismay over news reports of the alleged desecration of the Holy Quran by jail staff in Guantanamo Bay (Cuba)," an official statement said.

"They said the sentiments of the entire Muslim ummah, including the Pakistanis, had been deeply hurt by reports of the alleged incident," it said.

The President and the Prime Minister stressed upon the need by US authorities to carry out a thorough investigation to ascertain the identity of the persons responsible for the alleged incident, who should be awarded exemplary punishment, the statement said.

They wanted Washington to ensure that due respect is given to the followers of the faiths, it said.