RAWALPINDI, Nov 18: Federal Minister for Information and Media Development Sheikh Rashid Ahmad on Tuesday said Pakistan had been supporting the Karzai government in Kabul and any worries on the part of Afghan rulers in this regard were baseless.

Talking to reporters during a meet-the-press programme at the Rawalpindi Press Club, he said Pakistan had been actively participating in rebuilding the war-ravaged country. “Pakistan is at the forefront in fighting terrorism. It has been playing a historical role in this regard,” he said.

Replying to a question whether the banning of the three religious organizations was done at the behest of foreign pressure, the minister said Pakistan made its decisions itself. The American ambassador has the right to express her views, but these do not influence our decision-making, he added.

About his recent visit to India, he said it was successful. “I went there as a government representative and responded questions that were raised by the people as well as the government functionaries,” he said.

Mr Sheikh said Pakistan wanted good neighbourly relations with India. There is no dispute between the two neighbours except the Kashmir issue, he maintained.

He said India was preparing for elections and some political leaders might tend to make anti-Pakistan statements to swell their vote-bank.

When asked whether Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee would come to Pakistan to attend the forthcoming Saarc Summit, he suggested that the Indian premier should not waste such an opportunity to make peace and participate.

He reiterated the government’s stand of resuming talks with the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal. “We hope, the prevailing differences will be resolved through talks,” he maintained.