Pakistan premier Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday condemned the bomb blast in Pune, saying Pakistan is against terrorism in all its manifestations and maintained that his country wants better relations and a “meaningful dialogue” with India.
“We condemn the blast in Pune. We condemn terrorism in all its manifestations,” Mr. Gilani told reporters in Rawalpindi.
“We want to be freed of terrorism and this menace,” he said.
The bomb blast in Pune came a day after Pakistan agreed to take up India’s offer of Foreign Secretary-level talks. Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan are scheduled to meet in New Delhi on February 25.
Replying to a question about the talks, Mr. Gilani said, “Pakistan wants better relations and a meaningful dialogue with India.”
India had suspended talks in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks which New Delhi has blamed on Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Mr. Gilani said he would take PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif into confidence on the issue of talks.
Asked whether the talks would be successful, Mr. Gilani said: “Lets begin the dialogue process first.”
Published - February 14, 2010 04:58 pm IST
