Basit downplays Musharraf's remark on Pak nurturing terrorism

Pakistan's High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit, today downplayed former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf's assertion that Islamabad nurtured terrorism and said that one should not be stuck in the past.

"I will respond that all militant outfits have been banned in Pakistan. And Pakistan is committed not to allow its territory for terrorism against anywhere in the world," Basit said here.

"So, we are committed to that and rather than being stuck in the past lets be forward looking," he added.

Musharraf had earlier admitted that Pakistan nurtured militancy and supported extremist groups including the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in the 1990s to carry out terrorist activities in Kashmir.

Musharraf also branded Osama Bin Laden, Jalaluddin Haqqani, Hafiz Saeed and Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi as Pakistan's heroes.

Basit also urged India and Pakistan to make a comprehensive effort to resolve all outstanding issues.

"I think the time has come for our two countries to make a comprehensive effort to solve all outstanding issues. Hope New Delhi would revisit the four points, which will help break the ice and improve relations between our two countries," he added.

Commenting on the 26/11 Mumbai trial, he said that six persons have been arrested so far.

"As far as Mumbai trial is concerned, we have arrested six people who are under trial. Hope India cooperates with us to expedite the matter," he said.