Islamabad, July 20
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf tonight asked India to provide evidence of Islamabad’s alleged involvement in last week’s Mumbai bomb blasts and criticised New Delhi for threatening to stop the peace process.In a nationwide television address, the Pakistan President described as “regrettable” New Delhi’s remarks on the peace process following the bomb blasts which claimed nearly 200 lives.
He offered his cooperation in tracking down the culprits and in the fight against terrorism.
“Blaming each other will not help,” he said, adding any delay in peace talks due to the Mumbai blasts was what the terrorists wanted.
The two countries were to hold Foreign Secretary-level talks from today as part of the Composite Dialogue Process.
Strongly condemning the explosions, President Musharraf said Pakistan had always acted against terrorism and terrorists. It was against the killing of innocent people. Pakistan had itself been a victim of terrorism, he said.
“We are with you in this battle,” he said.
President
Musharraf sought to assure the Indian leadership that Islamabad was fully with New Delhi in the fight against terrorism and for tracking down the perpetrators of the bomb explosions if India provided evidence of its allegations about Pakistan’s involvement.
“If you give us proof, we will be with you,” he said.
Talking about the situation in West Asia, General
Musharraf said it would have dangerous consequences for Pakistan as there was the danger of Iran and Syria getting affected.
He stressed on the need to strengthen Pakistan’s internal security to ensure that the situation in West Asia did not have any fallout on it.
He also stressed the need for ceasefire and dialogue for ending the
conflict. — UNI
