Islamabad, December 16
Terrorist organisations like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) are a “constant threat” for Pakistan, which should take tough action against “non-state actors” linked to the Mumbai attacks, and should cooperate with India in investigations, visiting US Senator John Kerry has said.
Kerry, who was today appointed chairman of the influential Senate foreign relations committee, raised these issues with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari during a meeting here last night.
The Senator was quoted by The Dawn as saying terror groups like the LeT are a “constant threat” for Pakistan.
Kerry reportedly said he did not believe that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency or the Pakistan government was involved in the Mumbai attacks, but Pakistan should take tough action against “non-state actors” and
cooperate with India in investigating the incident. Earlier speaking in New Delhi, Kerry after meeting India’s top leadership had said the ISI should be tightly controlled and not be allowed to act independently.
“It is imperative that the intelligence service of Pakistan not be able to make its own choices or operate outside of the standards that we have a right to expect,” he said.
During his meeting with Pakistan President, media report said, Zardari accused India of levelling “baseless allegations” against Islamabad in connection with the Mumbai attacks.
He said Pakistan had offered to cooperate with India to probe the attacks but India had not yet responded to this proposal.
“India is not providing any evidence against people allegedly involved in the attacks,” Zardari was quoted as saying.
Zardari also assured Kerry that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal was out of the reach of terrorists. He said Pakistan’s nuclear assets were in “safe hands and well protected”.
The President said terrorists would not be allowed to use Pakistan’s territory for activities directed against any country.
Zardari also apprised Kerry about two reported intrusions by Indian Air Force planes into Pakistani territory, sources told the newspaper.
India has denied reports that its warplanes had intruded into Pakistani airspace.
Conveying a message from President-elect Barack Obama, Kerry said the US administration would help Pakistan in combating terrorism.
— PTI
