Islamabad, Sept 13: Taking exception to remarks made by US Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca in New Delhi that Washington would continue to press Islamabad to stop cross-border infiltration, Pakistan has asserted there was no terrorism emanating from its soil. Pakistan instead wants the US to persuade India to end its "repression" in Kashmir and "stop dragging feet" over the resumption of dialogue with Islamabad, a Pakistan foreign office spokesman claimed.
"There is no cross-border infiltration along the LoC. Pakistan is not backing any cross-border movement," a foreign office spokesman was quoted as saying by the country's official news agency last night. While denying support for cross-border infiltration, the spokesman virtually found fault with Rocca, saying, "Not to refer to Indian sponsored repression in Kashmir is a glaring omission."
"Pakistan is in the forefront of the war against terrorism," the spokesman said, recalling the remarks made by President George W. Bush to President Pervez Musharraf over the phone recently in which he praised Pakistan's contribution to the fight against terrorism. He said for decades, and especially after 9/11, Pakistan has been suffering from the "blowback" from Afghanistan. "In its own interest, Pakistan is determined to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations." Bureau Report