ISLAMABAD, Oct 2: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday rejected Indian allegations of Inter Services Intelligence’s involvement in the Mumbai blasts and said Pakistan had received no evidence so far to support this allegation.
Talking to newsmen after an Iftar-dinner hosted by an English daily in honour of Muslim countries’ ambassadors at a local hotel, the premier said: “India has a history of levelling such allegations but has never been able to prove any of them”.
India had alleged ISI involvement in the Mumbai blasts and pledged to forward its evidence for investigations on its part.
Asked whether the fresh Indian blame game could affect the ongoing dialogue process, the premier said: “Pakistan stands for peace in the region and desires a solution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir”.
To a query regarding the steps to be taken on the mechanism of combating terrorism, Mr Aziz said: “First of all we would like that the upcoming foreign secretary-level talks get under way and then talks on terrorism”.
About the controversial Protection of Women Rights bill, he said talks were in progress with all stakeholders and the process of giving the draft final shape was in an advanced stage.
As soon as the bill is ready, it will be sent for the parliament’s approval, he said.
The draft of the Protection of Women Rights bill has become controversial after PML President Chaudhry Shujaat opened dialogue with Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and a nine-member Ulema team reviewed and revised it after its approval by the National Assembly select committee.
He said the National Assembly session will be convened by consultations after the holy month of Ramazan.
He refuted the opposition’s claim that any national secrets were revealed by the president in his book, adding: “Our intentions are clear and whatever we feel good for the country we will reveal it”.
To a query, he said he had no intention as yet to follow in the footsteps of the president and write his autobiography.
Earlier, speaking to the ambassadors of Muslim countries, federal ministers, MPs, senior officials and journalists, the prime minister said the Muslim Ummah was facing several challenges and it can overcome these challenges through unity.
Premier Aziz said the issues before the Ummah range from their identity, to their false linkage with terrorism, which could only be removed by propagating the real face of Islam as a religion of love, peace and brotherhood.
He said a number of international issues like Palestine, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Iraq and Lebanon belonged to the Muslim Ummah and could be resolved by unity of faith among the Muslims of the world.
He said the Muslim world has a rich past with a large number of scientists, scholars and knowledgeable people who had excelled to take their fraternity forward. Today, Muslims face the challenge of knowledge as the objective of knowledge can only be achieved through a holistic approach and united efforts.
Saudi Ambassador Asseri and senior journalist Zahid Malik also spoke on the occasion.
Chairman Senate Mohammedmian Soomro, Minister for Information Mohammad Ali Durrani, president Azad Kashmir Raja Zulqarnain, Prime Minister AJK Attique Ahmed Khan, and governor NWFP were also present on the occasion.