ISLAMABAD, May 2: Pakistan on Friday demanded proof from the United States to support the placement of several Pakistan-based groups on a terrorist watchlist.

“If they have any evidence against the listed organizations, they must tell us and we will take action,” Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat told newsmen.

The US State Department on Wednesday issued a list of 38 “other terrorist” groups to be watched closely, presenting it as a second-tier to its list of 36 “Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations.”

The watchlist includes Hizbul Mujahedin, Jamiatul Mujahedin and Al-Badhr Mujahedin, all fighting Indian rule in Kashmir.

It also includes Sipah-i-Sahaba, outlawed in Pakistan since January 2002 and Hizb-i-Islami Gulbaddin.

“They (the US) have their own standpoint on the terrorist groups they have listed in their report,” Mr Hayat said.

President Pervez Musharraf had outlawed seven Islamic extremists groups — two in August 2001 and five last January — in a bid to stamp out religious militancy.

Mr Hayat said Pakistan had its own mechanisms to monitor banned terrorist groups.

“We are operating on our own and have mechanisms in place to check the activities of banned terrorist groups or any other organization or individual.

“Elimination of terrorism is our consistent policy.” —AFP