The Hindu : Pak. denies hand in train attack

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 01, 2002

International

International

Pak. denies hand in train attack
By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, FEB. 28. Pakistan today dubbed as ``preposterous'' the reported charge levelled by India about its alleged involvement in torching some of the bogies of the train from Faizabad to Ahmedabad near Godhra on Wednesday.

In response to a question at the regular media briefing about the reported charge by the Indian Minister of State for Home, I.D. Swami, on Pakistan's hand in the train attack, the Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman, Aziz Ahmed Khan, said it was a preposterous accusation.

At the same time he hastened to add that ``I have not seen that report, but it was a preposterous one if such a claim has been made.'' Commenting on the reported loss of lives in the communal tensions sparked off by the attack on the train, he said, ``loss of innocent life is to be regretted at any place and anywhere. It is the responsibility of the Government of India to look after its citizens.''

When questioned on the 4.8 per cent hike in the defence outlay in the Union budget for 2002-2003, the Press Secretary to the Pakistan President, Rashid Quereshi, said Pakistan would not follow suit and join the arms race with India.

``Pakistan is not in any arms race with India. Pakistan continues to assess its requirements and will do what is appropriate. Just because a neighbouring country or India has raised its defence budget, it is no reason for Pakistan to react or follow suit. However, that does not mean that Pakistan will not reassess its requirements,'' Maj. Gen. Quereshi said.

About the coming visit of the Information Minister, Sushma Swaraj, in connection with the three-day SAARC Ministerial meeting here, the spokesman said Pakistan welcomed all the Ministers from SAARC countries. He however, said that he could comment on what could come out of Ms. Swaraj's visit.

He also said Pakistan welcomed the statement of the British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw's statement in New Delhi calling for talks between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue. ``This statement is in line with what Pakistan has been asking for it. We welcome it. ''

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