ISLAMABAD, Sept 30: The Foreign Office on Saturday rejected as baseless an Indian charge that Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was behind the July 11 Mumbai train bomb blasts and termed it highly irresponsible.
Reacting to the Indian accusation, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said: “The reported statement by Mumbai police commissioner is highly irresponsible and repetition of baseless allegations. This statement, like those made immediately after the Mumbai bomb blasts, contains unsubstantiated allegations, which the Indian officials and media keep making for propaganda purposes.”
The spokesperson said it was quite possible that the Indian allegation was an attempt to divert attention from indigenous elements that might be responsible for terrorist acts in Mumbai and Malegaon in Maharashtra.
Pointing out that Pakistan had offered to help with investigations into the Mumbai blasts on the basis of evidence and solid information, Ms Aslam said: “We have received absolutely nothing in terms of evidence, information or leads.”
Asked if the Indian allegation would affect the dialogue process restarted at Havana, her response was: “We have no such indications. In any case there is no link between the peace process and terrorist acts.”
Answering another question, she said dates for the foreign secretary-level talks were being worked out through diplomatic channels and added that they would be held in New Delhi after Ramazan.
The spokesperson saw no threat to the understanding reached between the two countries at Havana to establish a joint mechanism to fight terror. The Foreign Office spokesperson emphasised that Pakistan was already cooperating with several countries to fight terrorism on the basis of evidence, information or leads and would be willing to do so with India as well.
At a press conference in New York on Thursday, Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee while expressing cautious optimism about the setting up of the joint mechanism said: “Let us see how we proceed.
“We shall have to keep one thing in mind. We cannot change our neighbours.”
“Neighbours are going to stay where they are and if we are to live with our neighbours it is better to live in peace. And I do believe trust begets trust.”
Agencies add: Talking to AFP, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao also rejected the Indian charge.
“This is a totally baseless and fabricated allegation and we reject it,” he said.
Mr Sherpao said it was unfortunate the allegation was made after the leadership of the two countries met in Havana early this month where they agreed to resume peace talks and to set up a joint mechanism to fight terrorism.
“Such unfounded allegations maligning Pakistan are not going to help the peace process,” he said.
