M A I N   N E W S

Musharraf calls it arrogant step

Xian (China), December 22
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf today said India’s decision to recall its High Commissioner from Pakistan and sever transportation links with his country was “very arrogant.”

“We regret the very arrogant and kneejerk response of the Indian Government,” General Musharraf said in response to a reporter’s question after coming out of the Grand Mosque in the northern Chinese city of Xian during the third day of a five-day visit to China. Asked whether Pakistan would retaliate, he said: “No.”

India moved more troops to its border with its western neighbour and said it was recalling its envoy to Pakistan and halting bus and rail services between the two countries after accusing Pakistan of failing to act against terrorism.

India, which blames two Pakistan-based Kashmiri groups for the December 13 suicide attack on its Parliament in which 14 persons, including the five assailants, were killed, said its troop movements were a response to “massive” Pakistani military movements.

General Musharraf’s comments were his first on India in three days in China, during which he has generally avoided reporters as tension built with India.

Yesterday, US President George W. Bush urged General Musharraf to crack down on the two militant groups India accuses of the attack. Reuters

Nambiar to return next week

Islamabad, December 22 The Indian High Commissioner to Islamabad, Mr Vijay Nambiar, who had been recalled by New Delhi following the December 13 attack on parliament by Pakistan-based terrorists active in Kashmir, would leave for New Delhi early next week. India said the decision to recall its High Commissioner was prompted by Islamabad’s reluctance to take action against the terrorist groups involved in the attack. PTI The Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mr Vijay Nambiar, plays golf in Islamabad on Saturday. Mr Nambiar is expected to return to India early next week. — AP/PTI photo

India won’t attack Pak, says Powell

Islamabad, December 22
The USA has assured Pakistan that India would not attack it despite growing tensions between the two neigbours and said New Delhi would also not cross the Line of Control, official sources here said.

President Pervez Musharraf and Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar have been assured by US Secretary of State Colin Powell over the telephone two days ago that India would not attack Pakistan nor would it cross the LoC in Kashmir, daily ‘Dawn’ quoted official sources as saying.

It said Pakistan was fully cooperating with the US-led military coalition to hunt down terrorists in Afghanistan. PTI