Pakistan Hopes Bombay Blast Not to Affect Indo-Pak Relations' Thaw

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, August 28, 2003

Pakistan Hopes Bombay Blast Not to Affect Indo-Pak Relations' Thaw

Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri on Wednesday rejected allegations of any involvement of Pakistan in the Indian main commercial city of Mumbai's bomb blast and expressed hope that the current moves toward normalization would remain unaffected by this tragedy, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported from Islamabad.

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Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri on Wednesday rejected allegations of any involvement of Pakistan in the Indian main commercial city of Mumbai(Bombay)'s bomb blast and expressed hope that the current moves toward normalization would remain unaffected by this tragedy, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported from Islamabad.

Speaking at a news conference at the State Guest House in Lahore, he said this was not the occasion to inflame passion and hurl baseless accusations.

"We should avoid the conditioned reflex of blaming each other for any incident that may happen in our countries. India is a big country, and in stead of blaming Pakistan it should investigate the matter, and before investigation should not pre-judge its outcome," he said.

Kasuri said that even more unfortunate was the fact that these allegations were not in line with the current thaw in relations between the two countries.

Replying to the Indian demand that Pakistan hand over 19 suspects, he said it had been made clear that these suspects were not on Pakistan soil, and India has not provided any evidence about the presence of these suspects.

He pointed out that "even the Indian media had questioned the validity of the Indian claim when this issue was first raised and the demand was made two years ago."

While reiterating Pakistan's policy of condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the foreign minister said the country would not shy away from its commitment to fighting terrorism.

"I would like to point out here that Pakistan's position could not be otherwise, because Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism," he said.

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