October 30, 2007	Tuesday	Shawwal 17, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Oct 29: Pakistan on Monday took serious note of the recent revelation by two independent Indian television networks that Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi had actively supported the massacre of Muslims in the Indian state and called for unveiling of the whole truth behind the systematic genocide.

“What has been revealed is extremely disturbing for us. The whole truth should come out and we want that the carnage and terrorism which was experienced by Muslims in Gujarat should come out in open and the world should know what happened there,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Sadiq told a weekly news briefing here.

“Pakistan is also concerned because in the context of Liaquat-Nehru Pact we have a link with the issue,” Mr Sadiq said while responding to a question.

“We have noted that efforts were made to take the footage off air and we think that is extremely unfortunate,” he added.

Spokesperson Sadiq rejected Indian allegations about Pakistan’s involvement in the terrorist attack in Ajmer Sharif and Hyderabad, saying: “Pakistan has no involvement in any act of terrorism anywhere in the world. Pakistan is actually suffering because of terrorism and it is a victim of terrorism not a perpetrator.”

Commenting on the new US sanctions against Iran, Mr Sadiq said: “We believe that sanctions are not a solution to any problem.” He categorically stated that the government would go ahead with the proposed Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project. “This is a requirement of Pakistan. It will provide us energy security and we remain committed to the project.”

He refuted a claim that the government was under foreign pressure to let PML (N) leader Nawaz Sharif return home ahead of the general election.

He said there was no foreign pressure on the government either from the Americans or the Saudis to ensure Mr Sharif’s early return to Pakistan.

“I am not aware of any such pressure. I don’t think there is any pressure in that regard,” he said when specifically asked about it.

Answering another query, the spokesperson said Pakistan had not invited any foreign observers to observe the coming general election. However, he added: “If any group or any person wants to come and observe the elections in Pakistan they can request the Government of Pakistan and those requests would be considered.”

At the outset, Mr Sadiq was highly critical of the Newsweek’s cover story on Pakistan and said: “We resent, reject and condemn the article on Pakistan, published in the 29th October issue of the Newsweek.”

“This report is false, misleading and intended to convey a highly negative image of Pakistan. It betrays complete ignorance and lack of understanding about the fundamental realities in Pakistan.”