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Pakistan denies any role in Mumbai blasts
August 26, 2003 22:10 IST
Urging Indian leaders not to resort to finger pointing in response to the bomb blasts in Mumbai, Pakistan on Tuesday denied Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani's charge that it has harboured Indians wanted for acts of terrorism in India.
Complete coverage of the Mumbai blasts
"We have not given any shelter to any Indian nationals," Pakistan's foreign office spokesman Masood Khan told the BBC.
"I would like to add that this is not the time for finger pointing. Nor should Indian leaders take political mileage out of the gruesome tragedy. We condemn this reprehensible acts of terrorism," he said.
Asked why Pakistan did not cooperate with India in view of the recent thaw in the relations, he said, "Yes there is a thaw. We should maintain the momentum generated. Therefore leaders in India should avoid making negative statements. These are unhelpful."
"Yes this was a gruesome tragedy. We have condemned it," he added.
Referring to Advani's charge that Pakistan's condemnation was a mere formality, Khan said Pakistan's condemnation was made with 'all sincerity' as Islamabad was against terrorism in all its forms.
"Despite his negative reaction, we still sympathise and condole with the families of innocent civilians in Mumbai who have lost their lives and suffered injuries," he said.