The Foreign Office on Thursday said India was trying to exonerate individuals suspected to be involved in the 2007 Samjhauta Express blasts that killed more than 42 Pakistanis and sought “fair investigation” in the case.
“It appears that the Indian government is trying to exonerate individuals, who many in India itself believe were involved in Samjhauta Express terrorist attack, resulting in the loss of lives of more than 42 innocent Pakistanis,” Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said at the weekly press briefing.
Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry conveyed Pakistan’s concern to his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar during a visit to India last month and “urged the Indian government for fair investigation and trial of the terrorist attack”, he said.
He said it’s “only through fair, timely and judicious administration of justice that any society can sustain itself as a respected member of global community.”
The Samjhauta Express, the only rail link between India and Pakistan, was bombed on February 18, 2007.
Zakaria said Pakistan has serious concerns over India’s interceptor missile test and will take all necessary measures to augment its defence capabilities.
“Indian actions are against the spirit of a peaceful and friendly neighborhood and would upset the balance of power in the region. We have sensitized the US during the 8th Round of Working Group on Security, Strategic Stability and Non-proliferation and Members of Conference on Disarmament in Geneva about Pakistan’s concerns about India’s ambitious missile program,” he added.
Commenting on the 5th Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) meeting hosted by Islamabad on Wednesday, he said the group is aimed at facilitating direct negotiations between Afghan government and the factions at war in Afghanistan, including Taliban.
“Under the QCG arrangement, all the members have shared responsibility to bring Taliban and the other groups to the negotiation table. The members are making sincere efforts to that end,” he said.
“We are dealing with a turmoil that is 36 years old with 15 years of military efforts by the world’s powerful countries. These countries are still endeavouring for peace and stability in Afghanistan.
“In just 6 months, since its inception, member countries expressed their opinion in yesterday’s meeting that we should give peace a chance as it remains the only option to move forward,” added Zakaria.
