WASHINGTON, United States: The Washington Times has formally regretted Friday for publication of a disparaging derogatory cartoon that caused wider condemnation and strong protests in Pakistan.

In a letter to the Pakistan Embassy, the Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper Wesley Pruden said: “The cartoonist (Bill Garner) inadvertently caused offence to Pakistani citizens … This was not his intention and nor was it the intention of the newspaper.”

The newspaper "regrets for the misunderstanding the cartoon has caused in Pakistan,” the letter said.

Pakistan's charge de affaires in Washington Muhammad Sadiq had earlier strongly protested with the daily saying: "We are disgusted with the insensitivity of the editors of the Washington Times. They have insulted the 150 million people of Pakistan.”

The cartoon ridicules the country's role in the war on terror.

Extending regrets formally, the newspaper assured the embassy "of the high esteem and deep respect in which the newspaper holds Pakistan and Pakistani people".

Pruden stated, “The newspaper had published many editorials and cartoons noting the manifold contributions of Pakistan and its people to the mutual effort to eradicate terror and they would, no doubt, continue doing so in the future.”

Pakistani government had hinted at the possibility of initiating legal actions against publication of the derogatory cartoon.

Also, the National Assembly had adopted unanimous resolution condemning the Washington Times cartoon that insulted nation's dignity and honor, demanding of the government to register a strong protest with the United States and the "irresponsible" paper's staffers should apologize the Pakistani nation.