KASUR, March 7: “Pakistan will not allow anybody to use its soil for terrorism.”

This was stated by Foreign Minister Mian Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri while speaking at the oath taking ceremony of the Tax Bar Association here on Friday.

Mr Kasuri said Pakistan was one of the front line countries in the global war against terrorism. That was why, it was facing terrorism itself, he added.

He said the country could defend itself against any kind of terrorism. “We will continue our cooperation against the terrorism and not allow anybody to create a law and order situation in Pakistan.”

He said there was no reality in the news that Pakistan would be the next target of America after Iraq. If something would happen, then Pakistan would stand as a reasonable nation and would fight.

Mr Kasuri said Pakistan wanted peaceful solution to Iraq issue, as, in case of war, the whole region would be affected.

He said during his visit to the US, he met its president, vice-president, foreign and defence ministers, attorney-general and members of National Security Council and editors of different newspapers and solved the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) issue. A large number of Pakistanis were still living there illegally, he added.

He said there were 25 countries in the INS list, but only Pakistan was obliged.

Mr Kasuri said India was trying its best to prove Kashmiris as terrorists. But, Kashmiris were fighting for their freedom. He urged the international community to solve the Kashmir issue according to the UN resolutions.

He said Pakistan would continue its efforts for the re-construction and rehabilitation of Afghanistan and was ready to provide financial and technical assistance.

He appealed to the nation to get united and maintain law and order during Muharram.

Mr Kasuri was later briefed by the DCO in his office.