ISLAMABAD, Aug 27: Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri urged India on Wednesday not to malign Pakistan in the deadly bomb blasts in Mumbai and avoid inflaming passions before conducting an impartial investigation.
The foreign minister again condemned Monday’s twin bombings and expressed hope the tragedy would not disrupt the process of normalisation initiated by the two countries in April.
Speaking at a news conference at the State Guest House in Lahore, the minister said: “This is not the occasion to inflame passion and hurl baseless accusations.”
“We should avoid the conditioned reflex of blaming each other for any incident that may happen in our countries.
“India is a big country, and instead of blaming Pakistan it should investigate the matter, and before investigation should not pre-judge its outcome.”
Mr Kasuri said allegations levelled by Indian Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani were not in line with the current thaw in relations between the countries. However, he expressed hope the current moves toward normalisation would remain unaffected by the tragedy.
SUSPECTS CUSTODY: Regarding Indian demand that Pakistan should hand over 19 suspects, he said it had been made clear that these suspects were not on Pakistani soil, and India had not provided any evidence about the presence of these suspects.
The foreign minister pointed out that even the Indian press and media had questioned the validity of the Indian claim when this issue was first raised and the demand was made two years ago.
While reiterating Pakistan’s policy of condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the foreign minister said the country would not shy away from its commitment to fight terrorism.
“I would like to point out here that Pakistan’s position could not be otherwise, because Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism,” he said.
Answering a question, Mr Kasuri said the possibility of involvement of elements opposed to the thaw in Indo-Pakistan relations in the Mumbai blasts could not be ruled out.
He stressed the need to normalise relations between the two countries to overcome the economic and social problems which were confronting them. However, he made it clear that Kashmir remains the core issue.
The foreign minister said bilateral talks between Pakistan and India must begin at the earliest. He said Pakistan had no reservation in resuming air and rail links with India.
Answering a question on the possibility of a meeting between President Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on the sidelines of UN General Assembly session next month in New York, he said this depended on the Indian government, adding that the ball was now in the Indian court.
On the issue of sending troops to Iraq, Mr Kasuri said the government had made no decision in this regard. Pakistan wanted to help Iraqis, he added.
“But this can be done only when other Islamic countries also decide about it under the auspices of the United Nations,” he said.
About his recent visit to Afghanistan, Mr Kasuri said Pakistan provided $100 million for the reconstruction of the war-ravaged country and also offered help in building rail link between Chaman and Kandahar along Spin Boldak and Torkham-Jalalabad Motorway.
To avert a repeat of the firing incident in which two Pakistani soldiers were killed by American troops in Mohmand Agency, he said necessary steps, including intelligence sharing between Pakistan, US and Afghan officials had been taken.
He reiterated that Pakistan wanted to improve its relations with India earnestly and sincerely.
Pakistan, he added, was making efforts to establish a lasting and durable peace in South Asia. In his regard, he appreciated track-II diplomacy but said it was no substitute for the official talks.—AFP/APP
