Pak denies ISI trying to revive militancy in Punjab

 Pakistan today refuted India's assertion that the ISI was trying to revive militancy in Punjab saying such statements could hit efforts to normalise bilateral relations.

Reacting to Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde's statement blaming Pakistan's spy agency ISI for stoking militancy in Punjab‚ Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said such statements were uncalled for and counter-productive.

New Delhi should share any evidence it has before making such "accusations", Chaudhry told a weekly news briefing at the Foreign Office.

The statements could undermine efforts aimed at normalising bilateral relations, he said in response to questions.

He said, the timing of Shinde's statement is not good as the new leadership in Pakistan has expressed its desire to normalise relations with India.

"It is time to focus on building relations and resolving all outstanding disputes, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir," he added.

Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism and has rendered sacrifices in the war against terrorism, Chaudhry said.

Addressing a conference of Chief Ministers on internal security in New Delhi yesterday, Shinde had said there had been "some significant developments" in Sikh militancy.

Militant commanders based in Pakistan were being pressured by ISI to "further terror plans not only in Punjab but in other parts of India", Shinde said.

Sikh youths were being trained in ISI facilities and Sikhs in Europe and the US were being motivated against India, he said.