Pak won't allow its territory for terror activity: Musharraf

Islamabad, Aug 8: Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has said his country will never allow any entity to use its territory for terror activity.

Talking to US Senator Richard J Durbin, who called on him in Karachi last evening, Gen Musharraf emphasised that only Pakistan's security forces, which were fully capable of dealing with any situation, would take counter-terrorism action inside Pakistani territory.

''The meeting focused on Pakistan-US relations and issues relating to counter-terrorism,'' foreign ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said in a statement issued here today.

President Musharraf underscored the importance of a broad-based and long-term relationship between Pakistan and the US and reaffirmed Islamabad's firm resolve to fight extremism and terrorism, stressing that the struggle was in Pakistan 's own national interest.

In this regard, the President pointed out that certain recent US statements were counter-productive to the close cooperation and coordination between the two countries in combating the threat of terrorism.

The President expressed disappointment at the passage by the US Congress of the recent legislation on 'Implementation of 9/11 Commission Recommendations', which introduces conditionalities on future assistance to Pakistan .

He said such legislation constituted irritant in the bilateral relationship, which must be based on trust and confidence in moving forward on issues of common interest.

Senator Durbin stressed the importance the United States attached to its relationship with Pakistan .

He appreciated the contribution and sacrifices made by Pakistan in the measures taken to curb extremism. Senator Durbin conveyed that the US Congress would continue to support Pakistan in counter-terrorism efforts and in meeting its national development goals.

UNI