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Miliband begins key Pakistan trip | Miliband begins key Pakistan trip |
(about 4 hours later) | |
UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband has arrived in Islamabad on a two-day visit as part of international efforts to diffuse India-Pakistan tension. | UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband has arrived in Islamabad on a two-day visit as part of international efforts to diffuse India-Pakistan tension. |
Relations between the South Asian neighbours have been under severe strain since November's Mumbai attacks. | Relations between the South Asian neighbours have been under severe strain since November's Mumbai attacks. |
More than 170 people died in the attacks, which India has blamed on Pakistan-based militants. | More than 170 people died in the attacks, which India has blamed on Pakistan-based militants. |
On Thursday, Mr Miliband visited Mumbai where he urged Islamabad to show "zero tolerance" towards militant groups. | On Thursday, Mr Miliband visited Mumbai where he urged Islamabad to show "zero tolerance" towards militant groups. |
Mr Miliband has held talks with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. | Mr Miliband has held talks with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. |
He is also due to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and army chief Gen Ashfaq Kayani before flying out on Saturday, Pakistani officials say. | He is also due to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and army chief Gen Ashfaq Kayani before flying out on Saturday, Pakistani officials say. |
The attacks left 173 people dead | |
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says that so far Mr Miliband's message has been very clear. | |
He has disagreed with Indian accusations that Pakistan's state institutions were involved in the Mumbai attacks and has not supported Indian demands for the extradition of militant suspects. | |
But he has said there is no doubt the attack originated in Pakistan and he has repeatedly stressed that Islamabad must bring the suspects to trial and punish them if they are found guilty. | |
Our correspondent says that this seems to be the consensus among other countries India has approached, seeking international backing for its demands that Pakistan take action. | |
It has accused Islamabad of failing to respond to evidence of Pakistani involvement in the Mumbai attacks. | |
'Official agencies' | |
For its part, Pakistan says further investigations are needed to build a case that stands up in court. | |
Commentators also say that belligerent Indian statements have created an environment that makes it politically difficult for the government to act. | |
Delhi has blamed Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba for the attacks on India's financial capital and believes "official agencies" played a part. | Delhi has blamed Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba for the attacks on India's financial capital and believes "official agencies" played a part. |
Both Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Pakistani government have denied any involvement. | Both Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Pakistani government have denied any involvement. |
On Thursday, Pakistan said it had so far arrested 71 people in a crackdown on groups allegedly linked to Mumbai. | On Thursday, Pakistan said it had so far arrested 71 people in a crackdown on groups allegedly linked to Mumbai. |
Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik said officials had also shut several schools run by a charity linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba. | Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik said officials had also shut several schools run by a charity linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba. |
On Thursday, Mr Miliband gave a speech at the Taj Palace hotel, one of the sites of the attacks in Mumbai. | On Thursday, Mr Miliband gave a speech at the Taj Palace hotel, one of the sites of the attacks in Mumbai. |
He said: "We know the attacks were carried out by Laskhar-e-Taiba operating from the territory of Pakistan. | He said: "We know the attacks were carried out by Laskhar-e-Taiba operating from the territory of Pakistan. |
"There must be zero tolerance towards such organisations." | "There must be zero tolerance towards such organisations." |