‘We have taken this accusation very seriously as it came from the highest level,’ Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik told reporters at a press briefing here on Saturday.

He recalled that the prime minister and the foreign minister of India had expressed fear of terrorist activities by the Pakistan-based Taliban.

Mr Malik said Indian authorities were being approached through diplomatic channels to pass on information so that joint measures could be taken to avert any terrorist attack.

He said such an attack might be launched by elements inimical to Pakistan to discredit and defame it. The adviser said Pakistan was committed to acting against terrorists if specific information was made available to it.

‘Sharing timely information will not only help avert any terrorist activity in India but it will also be a positive confidence-building measure in the aftermath of the Mumbai attack.’

Mr Malik termed terrorists common enemies of India and Pakistan and said this was high time for the two countries to work together to curb terrorism.

About the arrest of 11 Pakistani students in the United Kingdom, the adviser said the foreign ministry had been asked to seek details from London on an urgent basis so that antecedents of the arrested individuals could be verified.

He said the details being sought from the UK included the charges and evidence against the arrested students. He said if it turned out that the Pakistani students had links with al Qaeda, Pakistan would support attempts to bring them to justice.

In reply to a question, he said if they had done something wrong in the UK they should be tried in that country and should not be deported to Pakistan.

Asked to comment on the statement of the Lahore police chief that RAW was behind the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, Mr Malik said there was nothing on record as yet. 

He said an arrested suspect belonged to Waziristan and his father had a wife in India as well. ‘This may be the reason for the statement,’ he remarked.

In reply to another question, he said parliament would start discussion on the Swat peace deal next week. He said the agreement was intact and the enactment of Nizam-i-Adl Regulation was still under process at the ministry of law.
 
He regretted that the other side did not comply with the terms of the agreement and said the government was closely monitoring the situation.

Mr Malik said the federal government expected the other side to respect the agreement. ‘They will have to give up arms and stop violence,’ he stressed.