January 08, 2009	Thursday	Muharram 10, 1430

ISLAMABAD, Jan 7: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has termed Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s recent statement ‘unhelpful’ to the objectives of investigation into the Mumbai terrorist attacks, and said it could amount to unnecessarily whipping up tensions in South Asia.

He said in a statement issued here on Wednesday that Dr Singh’s remarks were ‘most unfortunate’ which he made instead of reciprocating Pakistan’s sincere desire to move forward towards establishing good, cooperative and friendly relations.

“Since Nov 26, Pakistan has not only made constructive proposals for mutual cooperation but also initiated actions and investigation on its own,” the prime minister said.

“We are convinced that the only effective way of dealing with the common challenge of terrorism is to develop robust cooperation encompassing all relevant departments.”

Mr Gilani said Pakistan’s own investigation into the Mumbai terrorist attacks had progressed and had received some information of an interim nature on Indian investigations.

“We are prepared to take this process forward with a view to uncovering full facts thus ensuring that the perpetrators of this heinous crime, whosoever they may be, are brought to justice,” he said.

The prime minister said India had not only refused to cooperate in the investigations concerning the Mumbai incident, but chosen to undertake a media and diplomatic offensive against Pakistan.

He reiterated Pakistan’s earnest desire to work towards building friendly and cooperative relations with India and said he had great personal regard for Dr Singh, and expressed hope that the Indian prime minister would act with a great sense of responsibility in the larger interest of peace, security and prosperity of the peoples of South Asia.—APP