KASUR, Aug 26: Foreign Minister Mian Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri on Tuesday condemned the Mumbai bomb blasts that left 47 people dead and many others injured.

He was speaking at a press conference in the office of the Kasur District Nazim.

Mr Kasuri said: “we condemn all acts of terrorism. We fully support all steps against terrorism because we believe in peace. We are ready to hold dialogue with New Delhi anywhere.”

He said the visits of delegations from India and Pakistan have been welcomed by the people of both the countries.

Mr Kasuri said that a bus service would also be stated from Kasur to India very soon.

He said that involvement of any external force in Quetta mosque terrorism could not be ruled out.

Mr Kasuri said Pakistan wanted to develop positive and good relations with Afghanistan.

He said that work was in progress on Chaman to Qandhar railway line. Roads from Jilalabad to Torkham were also under construction.

He said that Pakistan was giving $20 million annually for the development of Afghanistan. In addition 50,000 tons of wheat, 12,000 tons of sugar and pesticides were also being provided to Afghanistan.

He said no decision has been taken to send troops to Iraq. “Pakistan will send its troops to Iraq when other Islamic countries also do so. The United Nations should play its role in this regard.”

Mr Kasuri said efforts were under way to secure the release of around 7,000 Pakistanis locked in jails of various countries.

District Nazim Rana Imtiaz Ahmad Khan, Naib Nazim Mian Sana Khaliq Karimi, Tehsil Nazim Malik Rasheed Ahmad Khan, MPA Malik Ahmad Saeed Khan and Nazims of various union councils were also present at the press conference.

Later, Mr Kasuri and Punjab Minister for Law Raja Basharat inaugurated the three-day annual Urs of Hazrat Baba Bullhey Shah by performing the chaddar laying ceremony at the shrine of the saint.

A large number of devotees were present on the occasion.