Pakistan pledges strong action
2008-12-05 00:51
Islamabad - Pakistan on Thursday promised US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that it would take "strong action" against anyone on its territory found to have been involved in the Mumbai attacks.
President Asif Ali Zardari told the top US diplomat, on a lightning visit to Islamabad, he was determined that Pakistan would not be used to orchestrate attacks or shelter terrorists such as those who committed last week's outrage.
With tensions rising between the two countries since India said that all the attackers in the brazen assault, which left 188 people dead, had come from Pakistan, Zardari reiterated a pledge to help probe the Mumbai atrocities.
"The government will not only assist in investigation but also take strong action against any Pakistani elements found involved in the attack," said Zardari in an official statement issued after he met with Rice.
"Pakistan is determined to ensure that its territory is not used for any act of terrorism," he added.
Pakistan's role in the US-led "war on terror" has come under renewed focus since the devastating assault in Mumbai, which saw militants armed with guns and grenades lay siege to hotels and other sites in the city for 60 hours.
Zardari has repeatedly insisted that his country was not responsible for the carnage and has demanded proof of India's allegations - which have also been backed up by US officials.