Saarc Charter on terrorism ratified
Pti, Islamabad
Against the backdrop of allegation of involvement of Pakistan-based militant groups in the New Delhi blasts, Islamabad yesterday ratified a Saarc convention on suppression of terrorism, saying it demonstrated the country's "resolve" to root out the menace of extremism."By ratifying this convention, the government of Pakistan has once again demonstrated its resolve to fight terrorism and root out this menace from Pakistan and the region," Pakistan foreign office said in a statement. The "Additional Protocol to the Saarc Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism" was signed by the member states during 12th Saarc Summit in Islamabad in January last year. "Pakistan has always stood firm to the principles and objectives of the Saarc Charter to promote peace, stability, amity and progress in the region. Pakistan will continue to make unremitting efforts to promote the prospects of regional cooperation in South Asia," the statement added. The ratification came amidst assertions from Indian officials that the leads in the investigations into the October 29 blasts point towards involvement of militant outfits from Pakistan. The issue figured in the telephone talks between President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday. Pakistan has offered to take action if India provided evidence about involvement of Pakistan-based militant groups.
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