ISI playing key role for national security: Gilani

ISLAMABAD (Online) - Terming Indian allegation against ISI of being involved in Mumbai terror attacks baseless, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday underlined that the agency was playing a pivotal role for national security of the country.
The PM again told India to stop blaming Pakistan for the Mumbai mayhem, maintaining that befitting response would be given to non-state elements who were disrupting peace. He told ISI Chief Lt-Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha in a briefing given to him at the PM's House.
Sources said during the briefing, the PM was brief on various thorny issues like situation after Mumbai blasts, operation in tribal areas, national security and other matters at length.
He emphasized that Pakistan strongly condemned the blasts and had offered its full cooperation to India in this regard. He was told that there was no threat to Pakistan security as ISI was working in a very efficient manner. India must stop blaming Pakistan, he held.
The PM was of the view that Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism and has no aggressive designs against any country. He said that some stateless elements are propagating negatively, adding that their nefarious designs will never succeed.
He further said that the government is taking down to earth steps for the development of tribal areas, adding that no compromise will be made on national security matters. "We want peaceful relations with all countries, as Pakistan is a peace loving country," he maintained.
Sources further added that Ahmed Shuja Pasha gave a detailed briefing to PM concerning national security issues, adding that ISI is fully committed and equipped to give a befitting response to any aggression.
According to sources, Pasha informed the PM that ongoing operation in tribal areas is going on successfully, adding national security institutions are always ready to cope with any challenge.