US to work with Pakistan on terrorism

State Department spokesman Philip Reeker on Tuesday told reporters here that the US was committed to working with Pakistan to crack down on terrorist groups.

"I think we continue to have a vigorous discussion with Pakistan, both in Islamabad, through our embassy there and visits by high-level officials," he said.

"Our goal is to solve the terrorism problem in all of its aspects around the world in countries where we need to work to improve the situation regarding terrorism," he said, adding that talks had been going on with Pakistan on the issue for "many, many years."

Pakistan’s Information Minister Javed Jabbar issued an immediate riposte to the report earlier yesterday, telling AFP in Islamabad that his government "categorically and totally" rejected its findings.

Jabbar, a key advisor to Pakistani military ruler General Pervez Musharraf, said the accusations reflected inadequate study of the situation in Pakistan.

US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Sunday said Washington was not considering sanctions against Pakistan.

Meanwhile, in Islamabad, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has opposed the decision to keep the military top brass out of the accountability net.

A PPP spokesman said in a statement yesterday that without even-handed accountability, the ongoing drive will be perceived as one-sided, biased and aimed at maligning public representatives so as to pave the way for continued military rule in the country.

The spokesman was commenting on National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Lt General Syed Muhammad Amjad’s statement last Sunday wherein he protected Army officers and serving judges from investigation into corruption allegations against them.

Press reports on military corruption had included an account of a retired major general having transferred five million dollars overseas and having purchased a luxurious house in America beyond his known sources of income. Another retired brigadier, who served as a minister in the Balochistan government, was not proceeded against despite the fact that a Banking Court had issued his arrest warrants for bank loan default, he said.

"Was it fair that PPP leaders were behind bars on political grounds, whilst military officers disgracing their institution with court decrees were protected?" the spokesman asked.