Aziz rejects Indian allegations

Islamabad, Oct 3 (UNI) Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has rejected Indian allegations that Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was involved in the Mumbai blasts.

''Pakistan has received no evidence so far to support this allegation,'' The Dawn quoted Mr Aziz as saying in Islamabad at an Iftar dinner last evening.

He said India has a history of levelling such allegations but has never been able to prove any of them.

India had alleged ISI involvement in the Mumbai blasts and pledged to forward its evidence for investigations on its part.

Asked whether the fresh Indian allegations could affect the ongoing dialogue process, the premier said, ''Pakistan stands for peace in the region and desires a solution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir.'' Commenting on the India-Pakistan institutional anti-terror mechanims agreed to be put in place by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pervez Musharraf during their recent Havana meeting, Mr Aziz said, ''First of all we would like that the upcoming foreign secretary-level talks to get under way and then talks on terrorism''.

He said a number of international issues like Palestine, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Iraq and Lebanon belonged to the Muslim world and could be resolved by unity of faith among the Muslims.

UNI XC PR DS1707