`Pak interior ministry examining replies in 26/11 case`

Panaji, Mar 21 (PTI) Pakistan Saturday said that its
interior ministry is examining India's replies to their
questions in connection with the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

"In Pakistan we have just received number of replies to
the questions that have been raised to India. The ministry of
interior is examining the response that we have received,"
Pakistan High Commissioner Shahid Malik told reporters here.

Asserting that terrorism has no religion, Malik said, "It
is in the own interest of Pakistan to get to the bottom of
this problem. We have been victims of terrorism too."

Malik, who was in Goa to participate in a function
organised by Goa Non-Resident Indians commissionerate, said
that this is an important phase in the bilateral relations.

"Pakistan desires peaceful, friendly and good neighbourly
relations with India. This is a feeling across the board
starting with the government of Pakistan and broad spectrum of
the political parties in Pakistan," he said.

"We have sought this sort of relationship over number of
years with India and I am happy to note that there is a
corresponding desire on the part of Indian leadership to do
so," the High Commissioner said.

"With this feeling on both sides there is no reason why
we should not carry forward our relations in peaceful and
friendly manner," he added.

Malik conceded that the trust deficit has been hindrance
in developing the bilateral relations between the neighbouring
countries and said, "We seek good relations with India."

"There is certain trust deficit in the relationship. The
official channels are being opened up for discussion... We
talk to each other. Different foreign officers are in touch
with each other," he said adding there is no breakdown in
communication.

Replying to a question, the High Commissioner said that
Pakistan has initiated number of steps to combat terrorism and
extremism. PTI