Islamabad: Pakistan on June 12 said Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's remark that epicentre of international terrorism lies in Pakistan was factually "incorrect", "uncalled for" and "contrary" to the offer of dialogue and friendship extended by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

The Deputy Prime Minister's remarks were "contrary" to the offer of friendship and dialogue made by Vajpayee to resolve all outstanding issues including the "core" issue of Jammu and Kashmir, a Pakistani Foreign Ministry official said, reacting to Advani's comments at a press conference in Los Angeles.

Stating that Pakistan was in the "forefront" in the fight against terrorism, the official said the country has emerged as a key ally in the war against international terrorism.

"No country has done more than Pakistan in combating terrorism," the official claimed.

Information Minister Sheikh Rashid said such statements could make matters "more complex", even as he claimed Pakistan was not involved in "any terrorist activities".

"Whenever there is some progress towards peace talks, people like Advani give such statements, so that the matter gets more complex instead of getting resolved," he said.

"This is not the first time Advani has made such statement to be taken notice of," he said, adding Pakistan was not "upset" by the remark, "because he keeps giving such statements from time to time".

Rashid in a television interview alleged Advani's thinking "has been like that since childhood" and added that "there is no effect of this statement".

Claiming that Pakistan wanted to "resolve the issues and wants to talk in better atmosphere", he said, "We don't want to talk in the language of threat."

Denying that Pakistan was facing US pressure of any kind, Rashid said "nor are we involved in any terrorist activities.

"This is an independent struggle by Kashmiri people," he claimed and added, "If every other person seems like a terrorist to Advani, then what can I say?"

PTI