Pakistan rejects US statement on Kashmiri groups

Islamabad, Oct 13: Pakistan has denied that it was approached by the United States to use its influence with terrorist groups to stop attacks in India.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasneem Aslam said here that Islamabad had not received any request or demand from the US.

Ms Aslam's remarks came in the backdrop of a statement by the US Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns that his country has asked the Pakistani government to use its influence with terrorist groups to completely stop attacks on India.

Mr Burns said Washington would like to see no more terrorism emanating from Kashmiri separatist groups, adding, the US hoped Pakistan's government will use its influence with the terrorist groups to curb and altogether stop any attacks on India.

Ms Aslam said Mr Burns should have talked to India on the issue as violence in the Indian-administered Kashmir was indigenous in nature and triggered because of the ongoing human rights violations by Indian troops.

She said Indian troops should improve their human rights record.

When asked, how would Pakistan respond to any such request, if made by the US, she said that Pakistan did not support or encourage violence.

She said while Pakistan supported Kashmiri people's struggle, it also condemned terrorism, whether it was committed by an individual or a state anywhere around the world.

UNI

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