Briefing of resident Ambassadors in the Foreign Office

(2009-01-19)

A briefing for the resident Ambassadors in Islamabad was held in the Foreign Office today. The briefing was co-chaired by Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik. The Ambassadors were briefed on the measures taken by the Government of Pakistan in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks.

The Foreign Minister in his address said that it is Pakistan’s firm resolve to fight the menace of terrorism. He reaffirmed Government’s determination to extend full cooperation and assistance in investigating the Mumbai incident. The Foreign Minister added that it was important that India responds positively to Pakistan’s proposals for engagement to address meaningfully the issue of terrorism in the region and specific to Mumbai. He, however, stressed that blame game should be avoided and India should cooperate with Pakistan to help bring the culprits of this heinous crime to justice.

In his address, the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior said that the Government of Pakistan has taken several concrete steps which include detention of suspects, launch of formal inquiry, constituting an FIA team comprising experts of Special Investigation Group. He further said that terms of reference for the inquiry reflect the Government’s intent to conduct transparent and legally tenable inquiry and proceed with the prosecution in accordance with law of the land. The Interior Advisor reiterated Pakistan’s full commitment to eradicating terrorism from the region and affirmed the imperative need for cooperation between Pakistan and India to investigate the Mumbai attacks.

Islamabad
19 January 2009

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