26/11 attackers must be punished: Pakistan foreign minister

ISLAMABAD - Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Friday said the terrorists involved in the 26/11 Mumbai attack must be punished and Pakistan is ready to extend all possible support in this regard.

Talking to the media in his native town of Multan, Qureshi said: “We have always condemned the Mumbai attacks. Terrorism in any part of the world is condemnable, and we also want proper action against the culprits.”

“The interior ministry has sent some proposals in this regard to India and a response is awaited,” he said. “Pakistan wants peace in the region. This propaganda is incorrect that Pakistan is backing militancy.”

“We have some outstanding issues with India, and Kashmir is on top of it,” he said.

Pakistan and India started a composite dialogue in January 2004 to settle bilateral disputes but the process was stalled in 2008 after the 26/11 attack when India accused Pakistan-based militant outfits of terrorism.

(Awais Saleem can be contacted at ians.pakistan@gmail.com)