In wake of growing international pressure and imminent diplomatic reaction from India, president of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday said, his government will take ``strong action'' against elements in his country found to be involved in the terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
President Asif Ali Zardari's office said he made the pledge during talks with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Islamabad.
A presidential statement said Zardari also repeated a promise to help investigate the attacks and said Pakistan was determined to ensure its territory is not used for any act of terrorism.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stressed that the Pakistan government must mount a “robust response” to the terror attack in Mumbai.
The Indian government has blamed the attack on terrorists operating from neighboring Pakistan.
Pakistan has committed to help is whatever way possible, said Rice while addressing the media in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.
After expressing US condolences for the more than 170 deaths in New Delhi, Rice flew to Islamabad, seeking broader sharing of intelligence and a commitment by Pakistan to root out terror groups that continue to operate from regional havens in the country.
On the flight from New Delhi, Rice told reporters Pakistan has to determine how it is going to respond to last week's attacks in the Mumbai.
Zardari, who has vowed full cooperation with India, told Rice later in Islamabad that the attacks were a chance to strengthen efforts against terrorism.
Rice said Pakistan bore a ``special responsibility'' to help get to the bottom of the attacks.
While Zardari has made a series of peace overtures to India, he, however, indicated on Wednesday he would not hand over the 20 suspects India sought but, added that they would be tried in Pakistan if there was evidence against them.
The list includes Mumbai mafia boss Dawood Ibrahim, who reportedly fled to the UAE and then to Pakistan to evade arrest in the 1993 serial bombings India’s commercial capital Mumbai.
President Asif Ali Zardari's office said he made the pledge during talks with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Islamabad.
A presidential statement said Zardari also repeated a promise to help investigate the attacks and said Pakistan was determined to ensure its territory is not used for any act of terrorism.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stressed that the Pakistan government must mount a “robust response” to the terror attack in Mumbai.
The Indian government has blamed the attack on terrorists operating from neighboring Pakistan.
Pakistan has committed to help is whatever way possible, said Rice while addressing the media in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.
After expressing US condolences for the more than 170 deaths in New Delhi, Rice flew to Islamabad, seeking broader sharing of intelligence and a commitment by Pakistan to root out terror groups that continue to operate from regional havens in the country.
On the flight from New Delhi, Rice told reporters Pakistan has to determine how it is going to respond to last week's attacks in the Mumbai.
Zardari, who has vowed full cooperation with India, told Rice later in Islamabad that the attacks were a chance to strengthen efforts against terrorism.
Rice said Pakistan bore a ``special responsibility'' to help get to the bottom of the attacks.
While Zardari has made a series of peace overtures to India, he, however, indicated on Wednesday he would not hand over the 20 suspects India sought but, added that they would be tried in Pakistan if there was evidence against them.
The list includes Mumbai mafia boss Dawood Ibrahim, who reportedly fled to the UAE and then to Pakistan to evade arrest in the 1993 serial bombings India’s commercial capital Mumbai.
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