Peace in India only because of Pak’s stern action against terrorists: Malik
By ANISunday, April 25, 2010
Islamabad, Apr.25 (ANI): Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik has rebuked India’s charge of Islamabad doing little against terror training camps being operated on its soil, saying had it been the case there would have been no peace in India.
Interacting with a visiting delegation of the Indian media here, Malik said India must recognise Pakistan’s actions and should appreciate the fact that it is taking on the extremists with full force despite facing severe threats from the country’s western border.
“It is unfair to say that we have not acted on our eastern border. We need to be appreciated by India for our efforts despite facing threats along our western border. We have evolved a formula of 3 Ds - development, deterrence and dialogue,” Malik said.
He also rejected the allegations that Islamabad has not taken substantial action against the perpetrators of the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, saying: “Within hours of the attack, we got in touch with Delhi and offered our unconditional support.”
Malik claimed that Pakistan had initiated the investigation over the ghastly terror attacks immediately after the incident took place, and without getting any ‘dossiers from India.’
“The result is before you. Seven of the accused are facing trials. Another 15 have been declared absconding… and the trials are being heard. All the accused have exhausted all their legal remedies to get bail or have their first information reports cancelled,” The Daily Times quoted Malik, as saying.
“In the beginning, the evidence provided by India was not sufficient, but with the combination of information that we received and credible information that we developed here, we can now say that we have given the court enough reason to convict the accused,” he added.
Malik, infact, blamed India for the attacks, saying they could have been prevented had New Delhi shared intelligence inputs with Islamabad.
He reiterated that there was credible information that Indian agencies and certain non-state actors were involved in fanning insurgency in Balochistan, and said he would welcome talks with his Indian counterpart P.Chidambaram over the issue.
“We have credible signals and evidence of interference in Balochistan. Let Mr. Chidambaram come here… we are ready to welcome him. I am even willing to meet him in India or a third country if he so chooses. Let us sort out our security issues and decide what to do about them. I will come up with my evidence, my issues, my observations and he is welcome to bring his own. Bring your experts and sort it all out once and for all,” Malik said. (ANI)